Magna Science Adventure Centre facts for kids
The Magna Science Adventure Centre is an exciting place to visit in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England. It's a science museum built inside an old steel factory! It's designed to be super fun and educational, especially for young people like you.
What is Magna?
Magna is a huge science center where you can explore and learn through hands-on exhibits. It used to be a big factory called Templeborough steelworks where steel was made. Long, long ago, around 50 AD, it was even a Roman fort!
The main part of Magna has four special areas, called pavilions. Each one is themed around one of the four elements:
- Earth: Discover how the Earth works, from rocks to volcanoes.
- Air: Explore the power of wind and flight.
- Fire: Learn about heat, energy, and the amazing "Big Melt" show.
- Water: Play with water and understand its properties.
Outside, there are more fun zones! The Sci-Tek play area is full of cool science-themed activities. The Aqua-Tek area lets you splash and play with water. The whole site is very big, about a third of a mile long! It's even won awards, like the Enjoy England Gold Award for Business Tourism in 2006.
How Magna Was Built
Turning an old steelworks into a science center was a huge project! Stephen Feber led the team that planned and built Magna. Famous architects called WilkinsonEyre designed the buildings. The people who created the fun exhibits were from a company called Event Communications.
Magna's design was so good that it won the Stirling Prize in 2001. This is a really important award for buildings in the UK. The exhibitions also won an award in 2002 for being the "Best Exhibition."
The Big Melt Show
One of the most exciting things at Magna is "The Big Melt" show. It happens every hour and shows you how steel used to be made in a giant electric furnace.
During the show, the old furnace comes to life! You'll see fog, sparks, flames, and smoke. Loud sounds and bright lights make it feel like a real steel-making process. There are even blasts of burning gas that make a big "whoosh"! It's a loud and exciting way to see how steel was made before the factory closed in 1993.
Fun Events at Magna
Magna is not just for science! It's also a popular place for different events. Since 2011, it has hosted the annual Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival. This festival used to be held at Oakwood Technology College. Money raised from the festival helps local charities.
See also
- List of science centers#Europe
