Be part of Steam to Green at Discovery Museum Newcastle

Wanted – Discovery Museum seeks Tyneside people who use electric cars, solar panels or heat pumps for new exhibition Steam to Green

Curators at Newcastle’s Discovery Museum are seeking people who live in Tyneside who use an electric car, have solar panels on their home, or have an air source heat pump installed, to feature in the museum’s next exhibition.

The new exhibition and events programme Steam to Green will highlight the latest innovations in green renewable energy including ground-breaking research taking place in the North East. It will also showcase science and engineering objects from the museums’ historical collections, including some that have not been on display for many years.

Kylea Little, Keeper of History at Discovery Museum said:

“We’d really like to speak to people who live in Tyneside who use an electric car, or solar panels on their home, about how it has affected their lives, and why they chose to invest in them.

“We’d also really like to meet people who have a heat source pump in their homes, and who try and make sustainable choices in their domestic life.

“If you’re interested in sharing your story then please get in touch – at history@twmuseums.org.uk by 10 September 2023.”

Supported by Newcastle University, Steam to Green will take a positive view on how once again the North East of England is leading the way in technological innovation. It will reference the area’s heritage of fossil fuel extraction and use of steam power and contrast this with the green energy research and innovation happening in the region today particularly around transport and energy use in the home.

Discovery Museum is well known for its world-class science collection including the world’s first steam-turbine powered ship Turbinia, conceived and built on Tyneside by Charles Parsons. It also houses one of the best collections of lightbulbs in the world, including the world’s first commercial lightbulb invented by Joseph Swan.

Steam to Green will also include a family events programme, schools learning programme and adult after-hours events.

Discovery Museum is housed in a huge Victorian building once the headquarters for the region’s Cooperate Wholesale Society (CWS). Over three floors people can visit galleries exploring the story of Tyneside, from Roman times to the present day, the region’s shipbuilding heritage and inventions that changed the world.

Discovery Museum is open seven days a week, weekdays 10am – 4pm, weekends 11am – 4pm and closed on Bank Holidays. It’s always free entry and donations are welcome.