Life

Marie Louise McConville: Visit to W5 showed me science can be fun

Abbie and James had a fantastic time exploring the interactive zones at W5 at the Odyssey Pavilion
Abbie and James had a fantastic time exploring the interactive zones at W5 at the Odyssey Pavilion Abbie and James had a fantastic time exploring the interactive zones at W5 at the Odyssey Pavilion

Some of you may find this hard to believe but I’m not perfect.

If someone were to have a good look at my educational background, they may find a big, black mark.

I’ve never been ashamed of the fact that I failed my GCSE science - I absolutely hated it.

I just had no interest in bunsen burners or dissected frogs.

Suffice to say, when my GCSE science came around, I might as well have not even turned up.

Since that point, I've had absolutely no interest in anything science-related which means there’s a lot of stuff about the world I don’t understand.

So, when the lovely people at The Odyssey Trust asked myself and my family to come along and explore W5, I was hesitant.

Despite the interactive science museum being based at the Odyssey Pavilion for 20 years, I had never been but having been told that the whole venture had been completely re-imagined, I thought I would give it a go.

I was also motivated by the fact that I don’t want my utter dislike of science to rub off on Abbie and James, so off we went to be excited and inspired - and we got that in abundance.

I will admit, I had prepared myself for some boring science but instead we found creative learning.

With two brand new exhibition floors and eight new interactive zones, Abbie and James were immediately off exploring the fabulous experiments.

James was particularly taken by Climbit, a huge 3D multi-storey climbing structure, a cross between a vertical maze and a jungle gym.

While Abbie was delighted to join the W5 news channel, which gave her the chance to become a newsreader in a magical green room which transformed on-screen to a state-of-the-art newsroom.

We also loved the Energise Zone, which explained renewable energy, which sounds dull but it was so interesting and fun.

Here, the kids got to power up the batteries by getting physical and generating kinetic energy using different exercise machines.

In the Studio Zone, they were able to see themselves on screen running among dinosaurs, make their mark on a graffiti wall and create their own animation.

We also got the chance to step into a fairytale world at the Over The Hills and Far Away exhibit where family favourites were brought to life through role play.

With more than 50 new interactive exhibits on show, the kids were encouraged to imagine, explore and experiment amid Jungle Book adventures, a fairy tale market town and an enchanting secret garden.

We ended our busy visit with a trip to The Lost Planet, a space-themed soft play area, which the kids enjoyed whilst we had a rest and a coffee.

The kids have since been talking about the visit non-stop and I have to say, I personally learnt so much.

Turns out science can be fun - who knew?

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Victoria Square has been transformed into a magical fantasy kingdom, setting the scene for a month-long run of fairytale-themed fun for all the family.

Eye-catching installations bringing mythical tales to life have been installed in the centre as part of its new `Into the Forest' summer theme.

The installations include Jack’s Giant beanstalk, Granny’s house and Rapunzel'sTower.

Every weekend in August, there will be special pop-up performances with live entertainment.

The Into the Forest events programme will wrap up with a special series of pop-up performances on Bank Holiday Monday, August 29.

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I was really saddened this week to hear of the passing of the beautiful Olivia Newton-John.

Although I was only a year old when Grease came out, as I grew up in the in the years that followed, I fell madly in love with the film.

I don't know how many times over the years I have watched it - and now, I will never watch it in the same way again.

I remember the first time I saw Olivia on screen as Sandy, she was just the prettiest lady.

The love story between her and Danny, played by the brilliant John Travolta, was absolutely captivating.

I loved all the dancing and in particular, enjoyed the carnival scene at the end when they all sang We Go Together.

And now, the world will be a much darker place without the star.

Olivia Newton-John, who was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, passed away on Monday at her home in southern California at the age of 73.

In a tribute, John Travolta wrote: "My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better. Your impact was incredible. I love you so much.

"Yours from the first moment I saw you and forever! Your Danny, your John".

Very sweet.

Rest in peace Olivia, you will be sadly missed.