• Thinktank first opened to the public on 29 September 2001

• Special programme of events including science magician, junk modelling and party hat trail  

• £5 entry and 25% off in gift shop and café on 26 and 27 September.

Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum, is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a programme of special activities and events marking a quarter of a century of inspiring visitors to explore science, technology and the world around them.

Officially opening to the public at Millennium Point on 29 September 2001, Thinktank succeeded the former Birmingham Museum of Science and Industry on Newhall Street, which closed in 1997.

On Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September, there will be celebrations in the form of a science magician, birthday junk modelling with Tat Vision, a birthday party hat trail, party hat-making, birthday cake-building with LEGO DUPLO, £5 entry tickets and 25% off in the gift shop and café over the weekend.

Visitors are encouraged to share their own memories of Thinktank on a special timeline from 2001 to the present day and those who get into the spirit and come dressed up for the celebrations will receive a birthday goody bag from Thinktank’s reception team.

On Saturday, Birmingham Astronomical Society will be in the Science Garden for some solar observing, offering visitors the chance to discover more about the Sun, which takes around 25 Earth days to rotate at its equator.

Thinktank offers an exciting day out for all the family, with four floors of more than 200 hands-on high-tech displays alongside historical collections and natural science specimens.  

Whether it’s discovering the history behind Birmingham’s very own Spitfire, learning about giant prehistoric sea monsters or exploring the outer reaches of space, there is something for everyone, including MiniBrum, a child-sized city made up of different play zones to encourage younger visitors to think like scientists, testing their ideas, problem solving and creativity.

Zak Mensah, co-chief executive of Birmingham Museums Trust, said:

“Thinktank has been inspiring curiosity and a love of science for 25 years. Its collections and galleries tell the story of Birmingham’s extraordinary contribution to science, technology and industry, while connecting these stories to the challenges and discoveries shaping our world today.

“The city has been responsible for many discoveries and inventions which have impacted the world, such as the pioneering use of X-rays by local physician John Hall-Edwards which established modern medical radiography.

“Having studied computing in the West Midlands as a young person 25 years ago, I feel particularly proud of this milestone and hope we might have budding scientists or future museum directors among those visiting over the anniversary weekend."

“We’re looking forward to welcoming visitors to celebrate with us and to looking ahead to the next 25 years.”