Students from UCL Academy in London became the one millionth visitor of the Science Museum’s Technicians: The David Sainsbury Gallery.
The free interactive gallery, aimed at 11-16-year-olds, is one of the most popular galleries for school groups at the London museum, with more than 20,000 pupils visiting since it opened in November 2022.
The space champions the vital but unseen role of technicians and seeks to change perceptions of technical careers. Young people can go behind the scenes and explore the roles of technicians working in advanced manufacturing, creative industries, health science and renewable energy. Students hear their inspirational stories and experience daily life as a technician in various sectors.
The Year 7 school group from UCL Academy took part in one of the gallery’s free Meet an Employee workshops where students meet a real technician and experience what it’s like to do their job through hands-on activities and a Q&A session.
The young visitors celebrated the milestone with Tyler Terry-Wallace, a simulation technician at Guys and St Thomas’ Hospital, who was delivering the workshop.
He said: “I’ve been delivering workshops at the Science Museum since the Technicians gallery opened and I absolutely love being able to showcase my job and inspire young people who may not have considered this career before as something they could one day do themselves.
“It’s such a privilege to be part of the celebration – I used to come to the Science Museum as a child, so to be back here and showing my career, and how that can make a difference in the real world, is a big deal.”
Laura Manning, director of careers at UCL Academy, added: “At the Academy we encourage thinking beyond school to life.
“In taking them outside of school they get to meet different people like Tyler and also challenge outdated stereotypes around STEM careers. We were delighted to take part in the milestone announcement – the workshop activity was unique and we appreciated how it focuses on the application of science in the real world, bringing it to life.”
School visitors to the gallery can handle essential items technicians use every day and try out one-of-a-kind interactive exhibits which replicate the important tasks technicians perform.
Highlights include being able to control the film set lighting in a recreation of Shuri’s Lab from Marvel Studios’ Black Panther, making lifesaving drugs as an NHS pharmacy technician, practising precision welding techniques and diagnosing problems as a wind turbine technician.
Schools who wish to visit can add Technicians: The David Sainsbury Gallery to their itinerary and book their visit via the museum website here. To enhance their visits, school groups can join hands-on careers-based workshops with technicians in the gallery.
