The Smethwick Engine, manufactured by Boulton & Watt in 1779, is housed here and represents a cornerstone of the Industrial Revolution.
The Science Garden features the 'Terminus', a large-scale playground equipment designed to teach kinetic energy.
Thinktank is part of the Birmingham Museums Trust, a charity that manages several heritage sites across the city.
The museum building is a key part of the Eastside regeneration project in Birmingham city center.
MiniBrum is designed as a child-sized replica of Birmingham, allowing children to role-play in a variety of city-based careers.
Thinktank is Birmingham's primary science museum, located within the Millennium Point complex. It features four floors of interactive exhibits covering themes like space, transportation, medicine, and natural history. The collection includes the Smethwick Engine, which is the oldest working steam engine in the world. The museum houses a digital planetarium that provides immersive shows on astronomy and space exploration. A dedicated 'Science Garden' offers outdoor, hands-on learning experiences for children. The 'We Made It' gallery focuses on Birmingham's rich industrial heritage and manufacturing history. The museum emphasizes tactile learning through its 'MiniBrum' gallery, a miniature city designed for younger visitors. It acts as a major educational hub for STEM engagement in the West Midlands region.
In front of the massive, historic Smethwick Engine located in the main atrium.
Visit the Science Garden first if the weather is favorable, as it is located outside the main building.
Check the daily planetarium schedule upon arrival, as shows have limited capacity and run at set times.
Allow extra time for the MiniBrum gallery if visiting with children under eight, as it is a highly popular and immersive area.
Do not overlook the outdoor Science Garden, as many visitors focus solely on the indoor galleries.
Closed on Mondays during term time.
