The Secret World of Gases was a two-year national programme that engaged, inspired and involved school-age children and their families with the amazing stories and science of gases. The programme investigated the latest innovations, dispels myths and explored how gases will be used for a greener future.
Overall, the programme reached 106,261 children and families.
The Secret World of Gases project website: www.secretworldofgases.org 
Nine Science Centres around the UK delivered shows and activities as part of The Secret World of Gases, with highlights including a range of liquid nitrogen demos and a hydrogen-powered bus. The programme was developed with expertise from the Royal Society of Chemistry and BOC, the UK’s biggest industrial and medical gases company, which is part of the global Linde Group. The hands-on activities gave young people the confidence, curiosity and interest to continue to explore and ask questions long after they left the science and discovery centres.
The Science Centres that delivered the project were as follows:
- Aberdeen Science Centre
- Eden Project, Bodelva, Cornwall
- Eureka! The National Children’s Museum, Halifax, Yorkshire
- Glasgow Science Centre
- International Centre for Life, Newcastle
- National Space Centre, Leicester
- Techniquest Glyndŵr, Wrexham
- W5, Belfast
- Winchester Science Centre
The final project report is available for download here: The Secret World of Gases Final Report
For all project highlights and activity, check out the hashtag #secretworldofgases
For any additional information, please contact the project manager andy.mcleod@sciencecentres.org.uk
Dr Penny Fidler, the Project Director and CEO of ASDC said:
"We are delighted to have selected nine fantastic Science Centres to deliver this inspirational national programme focusing on chemistry, gases and sustainability. If we truly want our nation's young people to be inspired and motivated by science and consider it as a career for their future, we need to give them imaginative and creative hands-on opportunities like these so they can see how enjoyable the questions and challenges of real science are."
Jon Edwards of the Royal Society of Chemistry said:
"From climate change to cooking dinner, the chemistry of gases is part of everybody's everyday life. For decades, the Royal Society of Chemistry and BOC have shared the goal of inspiring people with this science that is sometimes invisible, but always around you. We are delighted to be working together with BOC, ASDC and the nine selected Science Centres to help thousands of people around the country enjoy these stories and reveal the many roles of gases in their lives."
Stephen Windsor-Lewis of BOC said:
"BOC/Linde are passionate about education and about demonstrating - to young people in particular - just how ingenious, inspiring and important industrial gases are to life today and life tomorrow. I'm delighted that this programme will be delivered nationally by such excellent Science Centres and we look forward to seeing these exciting experiments in action throughout the UK."
#secretworldofgases
