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Eureka! expands and plans new children’s museum for the Wirral

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Eureka!, the award-winning National Children’s Museum, has revealed plans to launch a second attraction in Merseyside along with a redevelopment of the existing Halifax site.

At a gala anniversary dinner on September 21st 2017, Chief Executive Leigh-Anne Stradeski revealed how Eureka! was working with the Liverpool City Region on a project to be located in the Wirral. The project is backed by Merseytravel and Wirral Council with strategic support from the Liverpool City Region Local Economic Partnership and the Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram.

They are exploring the possibility of opening a second Eureka! on the site adjacent to Seacombe Ferry Terminal, currently run by Merseytravel.

Plans suggest that the £11 million project could open as early as 2021. The new site will be designed to focus on an older age range: kids aged seven to 14-years-old will be the new target.

Peter Smart, Eureka! Chairman, said: “Both of these announcements cement a strong future for Eureka! and, most importantly, an exciting and fun one for our visitors young and old. We are still in the early stages of both projects but are so pleased to finally be able to talk about them to start building the momentum for the next 25 years of Eureka!”

Leigh-Anne Stradeski added: “Eureka! has always had ambitions to extend beyond West Yorkshire and we have actively been looking for sites for development throughout the UK. The Wirral site – if it goes ahead – will be funded by grants, donations and partnerships and we have planned it to concentrate on skills-based learning while continuing to use play and discovery as a means of engagement.

“We want to create a thriving children’s community of budding scientists and engineers, actively engaging them to contribute their ideas while learning about real world problems.

“The Liverpool City Region is already home to big names across maritime, manufacturing, motoring and energy. We hope these plans for Eureka! Merseyside will excite people enough to open up opportunities for local children to aspire to work in jobs within these companies and sectors. This could fill the current skills gap by capturing their interest in STEM subjects.”

A unique feature of the Eureka! experience and a key part of its philosophy is the emphasis on undirected exploration. Children are encouraged to take their own journey and to explore where and when they choose rather than being directed by an adult.

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Michael Mander

Michael Mander

I am a journalist from Essex, England. I enjoy travelling, and love exploring attractions around the world. I graduated from Lancaster University in 2018. Twitter @michael_mander.

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