At-Bristol

At-Bristol is a science centre and charity in Bristol, England.

At-Bristol's stated aim is "to make science accessible to all." To achieve this, it displays interactive hands-on exhibits, produces shows and workshops for visitors from schools and for members of the public, and also has a planetarium.

At-Bristol is also host to the South West branch of the Science Learning Centres, and together they offer continuing professional development for teachers and other science communicators.

History and background

The project opened in 2000 as the successor to the Exploratory, a science museum and demonstration centre, founded by Richard Gregory in the former terminus train shed at Bristol Temple Meads Station (later home to the British Empire and Commonwealth Museum). The Exploratory was a separate organisation and none of the exhibits or staff were transferred when Bristol's new museum opened in a city centre site as part of the regeneration of the historical Floating Harbour. The project was funded with £44.3 million from the National Lottery, Millennium Commission, South West of England Regional Development Agency, and a further £43.4 million from commercial partners (including a controversial donation from Nestlé) and Bristol City Council. The selection and design of exhibits were criticised by Gregory and other scientific adviser as being "totally inappropriate to the spirit of science".Goéry Delacôte served as Chief Executive from 2005 until 2012.