Techniquest will be jetting visitors around the world this summer as it brings augmented reality to its centre in Cardiff Bay.
Home to over 130 interactive exhibits, the science discovery centre has welcomed exciting new additions to its exhibition floor just in time for the summer holidays.
Starting in July, visitors will be able to get up close and personal with dinosaurs, meet animals from Africa and the Antarctic, experience tropical storms and see astronauts in action, all thanks to augmented reality.
In order to provide this sensory experience, Techniquest has installed multi-award winning technology which boasts a 4m x 2.5m LED screen and associated sound on the exhibition floor.
With 3D characters and ambient sound, the new exhibit will feature three exciting experiences using innovative technology; ‘Back to the Jurassic’, ‘Air, Land and Sea’, and ‘Traveller’, an experience created for National Geographic.
For the first time, Techniquest will also be holding its very own summer camps for young scientists in the making. Campers will have the opportunity to get hands-on with a wide range of activities, from rockets to robots and from plants to puzzles.
The camps, which are pre-book only, will run on weekdays from 13th to 31st August, and are suitable for children aged 7 to 11.
Joining its summer line up of activities and entertainment will also be a new family-friendly science show, taking place in the centre’s Science Theatre.
Operation Earth is an interactive show that will explore the environment and investigate the environmental concerns of the planet, encouraging visitors to throw on their lab coats to find solutions.
Earlier in the month, Techniquest also introduced its brand-new ant exhibit, a tank filled with leafcutter ants all the way from Trinidad.
The exhibit allows visitors to observe the colony and their ecosystem more closely, witnessing how the ants work together to keep their queen and nest alive.
Settling in a purpose-built tank, which is three meters wide and over a meter tall, the ants have access to a feeding tube and separate feeding station. The exhibit allows the ants to search for food, cut the leaves and carry them back to the nest.
The exhibit was named “Antastic Architects” after a public vote on social media and in the centre.
Lesley Kirkpatrick, CEO at Techniquest said:
“We’re delighted to be able to announce our new additions just in time for the school holidays.
“We’re always working hard to improve our offering and enhance our visitor experience. As part of our commitment to delivering interactive STEM engagement, we’re always looking at working with the latest ground-breaking technologies.
“We’re sure that all of our visitors will find our new attractions just as exciting as we do, and we can’t wait to see their reactions!”
