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Science and Engineering at Waterways Museum

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A weekend of engines, cranes and pulleys will be on show at Gloucester Waterways Museum, with a chance to build a raft, as part of the National Science and Engineering Week celebrations.

Visitors can get expert insight into science and engineering at Gloucester Waterways Museum's special weekend.

Visitors to Gloucester Waterways Museum on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 March 2012 are in for a special treat, when the venue celebrates the science and engineering behind waterways heritage as part of National Science and Engineering Week.

The Museum’s steam crane and famous Fielding Engine will be in operation during the weekend, visitors will be encouraged to learn how pulleys helped to lighten the load for men working on the waterways, and a specially-designed family science trail has been created for the occasion.

Youngsters will also be able to explore how canals were built, test different designs of boats and have a go at building and loading their own raft with cargo at workshops held on the hour from 11am and 3pm throughout the weekend.

Volunteers from the Museum’s Wednesday Gang – a team of men and women who help to maintain and restore the Museum’s working engines, cranes and boats – will also be on hand to share their expert knowledge.

‘Many of our Wednesday Gang are retired engineers who are incredibly knowledgeable about the science and engineering behind our boats, engines and other exhibits,’ museum manager Doreen Davies said.

National Science and Engineering Week, which runs from Friday 9 to Sunday 18 March 2012, helps to highlight how science, technology, engineering and maths relate to our everyday lives, as well as inspiring the next generation of scientists with fun activities.

As this year’s theme is dedicated to ‘Our World in Motion’, it is particularly fitting that the Gloucester Waterways Museum has got involved in the Week for the first time.

Plus, in addition to the weekend’s specially-scheduled activities, visitors to the museum at Gloucester Docks can also discover more about the story of our canals and rivers, climb aboard historic boats, enjoy hands-on fun, watch archive films and browse galleries rich in canal heritage and stories.