Natalie talks at the TechExeter December 2019 about plans for an Exeter Science Centre

1. Proposal for a new STEAMM
cultural hub for Exeter and the
South West
Dr Natalie
Whitehead

2. Talk Outline|
- My Background
- The Need for a Science Centre in Exeter
- Our Mission, Aims & Vision
- Features of the Science Centre: External & Internal

3. My Background|
- Building Services Engineer for 3 years
(with part-time BEng)
- Full-time Physics MPhys (4 years),
University of Exeter
- PhD Physics (4 years) - completed last
month!
- Now: Founder - Exeter Science Centre

5. Need to boost
science capital in
South West
Education
Exeter tourism:
primarily
shopping
& dining
Culture
Exeter Data Mill
Shopping
£56.3m
Dining
£55.5m
Attractions
£23.7m
Transport
£15.8m
Many science & tech
institutions - no
consistent public
engagement
Dissemination
UoE VSimulators
Met Office
The Need for a Science Centre|
a measure of your engagement
/ relationship with science
Widening
Participation in
Higher
Education 2018
Indices of Multiple Deprivation 2015
% into Higher Education:

6. Filling The Gap|

7. Mission |
Encourage more young people to consider
careers in science by making it more accessible
and relevant to them.
Raise the science capital of people of all ages
and backgrounds in the South West.
Motivate and empower the public to care about
the world around them.
Science Museum, London
Winchester Science Centre

8. Aims|
Create hands-on exhibitions with a focus on key global
issues and how current research is tackling them.
Create an exemplary, not-for-profit, purpose-built
STEAMM science discovery centre.
Actively collaborate with local groups to showcase
cutting-edge STEM research & technology to the public. Exploratorium,
San Francisco
Exploratorium, San Francisco
Glasgow Science Centre
Built with a focus on sustainability, low carbon
footprint and latest renewable energy engineering
solutions.

9. Cultural Hub
Soapbox
Science Exeter
We the Curious Bristol
STEAMM ExhibitsJudges’ ChoiceAward
Supported by:
Flux
Ian McDonald
Northeastern
University
We the Curious Bristol
Magnetism as
Art - MMM /
Intermag
Partnered with SW STEM organisations
We the Curious Bristol
Boosting Exeter’s Tourism
British Science Festival
Vision|

10. Rooftop Eden
Outside|
Algae Panels
Green Walls

11. Inside|

12. Thank you for listening!
Inspiring building
“exhibit”
Filled with hands-on
STEAMM exhibits
Research & industry
tackling global
challenges
Inspired by the
Exploratorium (San
Francisco)
Educate & motivate
the public
Regular public lectures, workshops,
festivals

13. Bonus Slides

14. Current Status|
- Preliminary business plan written
- Trustees & advisors committed:
- Prof. Justin Dillon, UoE education
- Dr Alexandra Jellicoe, environmental scientist
- Dr Sarah Usher, award-winning former physics
teacher
- Thor Mitchell, Tech expert
- Smith & Jones (brand developers)
- Discussions with stakeholders:
- Exeter City Council
- Met Office
- ExIST Network
- Exeter University

15. Development Plan|
- Thorough investigation of costs.
- Working with stakeholders to get support & investigate funding.
- Commence public consultation.
Phase 1
Dec 2019-Feb 2020
- Finalise quote for feasibility study.
- Finalise funding to enable this.
- Continue public consultation.
Phase 2
Mar 2019-April 2020
- Finalise business case following feasibility study.
- Formally apply for funding for Capital costs to build the Centre.
Phase 4
Oct 2020 onwards
Phase 5 - RIBA process of building the Centre.
Phase 3
May 2020-Oct 2020
- Commission feasibility study
- Continue more advanced public consultation.

16. Case Study| Dundee Science Centre
- Opened in 2000
- Cost: £5m
- Location: city centre, next to
railway station.
- Size: ~1000 m2 (Medium)
- 79,500 visitors in 2018 (av.
220/day)
- Main sources of income:
grants/donations (£2.26m in
2018), commercial (£0.31m)
admissions (£0.26m)

17. Case Study| Winchester Science Centre
- Opened in 2002
- Cost: £11m (inc UK’s largest-
capacity standalone
planetarium)
- Location: 9 miles from city
- Size: ~2000 m2 (Large)
- 190,000 visitors in 2018 (av.
530/day)
- Main source of income:
admission fees (£1.2m),
commercial (£0.84m),
education (£0.4m) .

18. Exeter Tourism: Key Facts
RAMM 2017-8 Annual Review
Exeter Data Mill

19. Exeter Tourism: Key Facts
The RAMM Museum
RAMM 2017-8 Annual Review
Exeter Cathedral
>100,000 visitors/yearCrealy
>500,000 visitors/year

20. UK Science Centres: Key Facts
2005-2006 data
2005-2006 data
2005-2006 data
All Income Commercial Income
Visitors of Different
Attractions
Source: Ecsite-UK document:
Inspiration, Engagement and Learning
The Value of Science & Discovery Centres in the UK Working towards a Benchmarking Framework