Science of the Sea has concluded for 2024. Thank you to everyone who visited the Museum during February half term. Watch this space for details on next year’s programme. 

The Wonderstruck Forces & Energy Show

An explosion during a science show. A ball of flame is rising with children looking onwards.

Shows at 11am, 12pm, 1.30pm and 3.30pm. Quieter sessions on Sundays at 11am.

Have you ever wondered how boats, ships and submarines move? How do they produce the necessary forces and where does the energy come from?

To find out, take an exciting 25-minute perambulation through the world of forces & energy with your expert guide, Mr Wright.

He’ll help you explore the science goodness behind these questions. Along the way he’ll also propel an (un)lucky volunteer across the stage on the Wonderstruck Rocket Car, tinker with liquid nitrogen, and explode a rather large bowl of breakfast cereal.

What will you experience?

Experiments will include fire, at times loud noises and lots of visual stimulus. If you have family members who are neurodivergent or have sensory sensitivities, then it is important to be aware that this show will be very stimulating for all the senses.

Quieter sessions

There will be two quieter sessions on Sunday mornings at 11am. In these sessions some of the louder elements of the show will be omitted. These sessions will still feature demonstrations that will impact the senses, but they will be a little quieter than other performances. We would advise that ear defenders could still be useful. For more information, please contact us at enquiries@nmmc.co.uk or telephone Beth Nicholls, Informal Learning Officer, on 01326 214 543.

Two young girls take part in craft activities in the Museum.

Make & Take

Every day, 12.30pm to 3.30pm (last entry 3.15pm)

Inspired by our science show, have fun designing and making your very own paper cup rocket – see how far it will shoot into space! (due to a clever elastic inside contraption, these rockets can indeed shoot up!) You will also have the chance to do an arty science experiment using colour and water, separating pigments through chromatography to create colourful sea creatures.

Museum Trail

Every day.

Explore the wonders of the Museum in search of lab coats in our fun and fascinating trail. You’ll uncover science facts inspired by our forces and energy show along the way, from how we harness the power of the tide to how cold liquid nitrogen is. You’ll be a proper scientist by the end!

What else is at National Maritime Museum Cornwall?

Explore 15 galleries over five floors, jump aboard boats, climb the 100-foot Lookout Tower, go underwater in the Tidal Zone, uncover ocean adventures and survival stories and sail miniature boats on the Waterfront Boat Pool. Plus, have fun in the brand-new Skull Island Play Zone and learn about Cornish maritime history in our Cornwall galleries.

It’s free!

The Science of the Sea half term activities are FREE as part of the Museum’s annual admission fee. Pay once and get in free for a year.