Thinktank Museum, Birmingham

Thinktank Museum, located in Birmingham, is a dynamic science museum that opened its doors on September 29, 2001, within the modern Millennium Point complex. This museum is part of the Birmingham Museums Trust and succeeds the Museum of Science and Industry, which began in the mid-19th century. Initially, the collections primarily included weapons from Birmingham’s notable gun trade and the Birmingham Proof House, evolving to encompass a broader array of science and industry artifacts.

Thinktank is notable for its vast array of exhibits that engage visitors of all ages. It houses over 200 hands-on displays that explore various aspects of science and technology, from industrial history to biological processes. The museum includes historical collections and modern interactive exhibits spread across four floors. Highlights of Thinktank include MiniBrum, a scaled-down interactive city for children under eight, a planetarium, and a Science Garden that offers outdoor learning experiences.

The museum also underwent a significant upgrade in 2005 that included the installation of a planetarium. By 2007, it had attracted over 1 million visitors. In March 2015, the museum added a Spitfire gallery, connecting the displayed aircraft with local production stories and honoring figures such as Helen Kerly, one of the few British civilian women commended for flying during the Second World War.

Thinktank provides a stimulating environment that blends educational opportunities with fun, making it a premier destination for discovering the science of everyday life and the technological advancements that shape our world.