Demos and Shows
W5 provides regular, interactive floorshows in the GO and SEE/DO areas. These fun, science-related demos take a closer look at a wide variety of topics. Below you can find short descriptions of some of the shows performed throughout the year, but check at the ticket desk on arrival for details of times and which shows will be appearing that day. Each show lasts for approximately 20 minutes.
As part of our 10th Birthday celebrations we are compiling a top 10 of your favourite shows so to vote for your favourite CLICK HERE
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Edible Explosions
Detonate the idea of boring food with this ear-popping show. Discover the explosive science behind popcorn and learn different ways to blast the movie-goer´s favourite snack into a tasty nibble. You can even try some of our very own W5 popcorn popped before your very eyes.
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The Landfill That Time Forgot
The bin lorry arrives, the bin is emptied and our smelly problem disappears. Or does it? In this interactive show we turn back time to learn the gruesome truth about landfill sites, what goes into them, what comes out, and what we can do to help the stink to ‘shrink’!
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Slime
Slime may be icky and sticky but it’s something we use everyday. From ketchup to toothpaste its uses are diverse. W5 explores what exactly slime is (is it solid or is it liquid?) and how it responds in different ways depending on how we treat it. Get to grips with slime and you’ll never see it in the same icky, sticky way again.
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Cooking Chemistry
Ever seen cabbage juice change colour before your eyes? Find out how this and many other kitchen experiments are possible as we explain how acids and alkalis react in the foods we eat. In this tummy-rumbling demonstration we also explain the science of making honeycomb in your own kitchen from simple, everyday ingredients. Download the Honeycomb recipe here.
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Bikewheels and Broomsticks
Things that are moving like to keep moving – things that are stationary like to stay stationary! With just a few simple tricks using everyday items we explore the science of motion. Be one of our volunteers, meet one of the greatest scientists who ever lived and discover the laws that govern the universe.
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Baking Blast
Using chemicals you can find after a quick rummage in your cupboards, this show looks at the chemical reactions between acids and alkalis. Exploiting the secret that all bakers know, we create enough gas to blast our way to the ceiling. Like all great shows, this one’s as messy as they come!
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Sound's Interesting
Open your ears and discover the science behind sound. Investigate pitch, how sounds are made and how they travel. Then close your eyes and be transported to Australia by the weird sound of the didgeridoo. We’ll even transform your voice from a squeaky chipmunk to a growling monster!
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Forces of Flight
Heard the one about the sheep, the duck and the rooster? Ever sat in a plane and wondered how such a massive and heavy object (with all your luggage onboard!) ever gets off the ground? This show, sponsored by Bombardier Aerospace, explains all. Learn the basic principles behind flight and how high and low pressure and fast moving air create that all-important lift.
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The Einstein Show
Warning – Genius at Work! Join us as we jump onboard a light beam with Albert Einstein and discover what lies behind some of his truly mind-boggling ideas. Find out what E=MC² really means and learn more about Einstein´s fascinating life and what made him such a remarkable thinker. But be warned, Relatively speaking, this show is head-scratchingly difficult!
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Mini Stunt Show
No show is worthy of the name without a car chase and a big jump as the grand finale. We make no exception as we discover why all stunt people are really just scientists at heart. We also uncover the mysterious connection between gravity, speed and bendy bananas! Yes, I did say bananas. This one’s for all action movie fans.
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Real Life Monsters
What animal chomps on your leg with the force of a two-tonne truck? Which aquatic eating machine has over 3,000 razor-sharp teeth? What looks cute, runs at 40mph and eats only meat? Discover the answers in this intrepid show and then stand aside as we unmask the deadliest creature of them all... The answer may surprise you. Are you brave enough?
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The UFO Show
Do UFOs exist? If they do, where might they come from and what might conditions on a distant planet be like? More importantly, what makes an alien go splat? This show takes a look at the solar system and beyond as we discover just why it ain’t that easy being green.
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Seeing & Believing
Discover why seeing is not always believing. Learn how the brain makes sense of what we see. Experience perplexing optical illusions like the amazing floating finger and the impossible triangle. Witness too, the world’s strongest man and find out if he’s really what he seems. Finally, we reveal the illusion behind cartoons, films and TV.