Aberdeen Science Centre

Aberdeen Science Centre
The exterior of the Centre
Established15 February 1990; 36 years ago (1990-02-15)
LocationAberdeen, Scotland
Coordinates57°09′12″N 2°05′05″W / 57.1532°N 2.0847°W / 57.1532; -2.0847
TypeScience museum
Websiteaberdeensciencecentre.org
Listed Building – Category B
Official name
'Satrosphere', 179 Constitution Street, Former Tramway Depot
Designated8 July 2003
Reference no.LB49309

Aberdeen Science Centre (formerly Satrosphere) is a science museum in Aberdeen, Scotland. It presents interactive science exhibits, shows, and workshops aimed at a broad audience, including school groups. The centre places an emphasis on hands-on engagement and informal science education.

The centre is a registered charity under Scottish law. It is funded through public support and donations from local corporate sponsors, and also includes a café.

The centre is located on Constitution Street. The building housing the attraction was formerly a depot for Aberdeen's tram network and had previously been based on Justice Mill Lane.

From 2018 to 2020, the centre operated temporarily from 107 George Street while its Constitution Street premises underwent a multimillion-pound renovation, which was completed in summer 2020.

History

Conception

The centre was first proposed in 1985 with the establishment of the North Scotland Science and Technology Regional Organisation (SATRO).

Prior to the establishment of Satrosphere, SATRO North Scotland organised an annual showcase of computers at the Music Hall, with the inaugural event held on 7 December 1986.

In 1988, SATRO North Scotland received a grant of £60,000 from the Gatsby Charitable Foundation towards the establishment of the centre. A plan for Satrosphere to initially open on an interim basis in a building previously used by Woolmanhill Hospital as an accident and emergency department was unsuccessful in the same year due to budget constraints.

Following proposals to open the centre in Marywell Street School, a former primary school, and the recently-vacated Hilton Academy, SATRO North Scotland announced in October 1989 that the centre would be located on Justice Mill Lane and commence operations in the following year.

Opening

The attraction was opened on 15 February 1990 by Heather Couper. It was funded by Grampian Regional Council along with public donations.

Relocation

In February 2000, the Evening Express reported that Aberdeen City Council had found an owner for the property housing Satrosphere and that the centre would be required to vacate. In April 2000, the new location was revealed to be a former tram depot on Constitution Street near Aberdeen Beach.

The new location was opened by Heather Reid on 17 March 2001, following the original site's closure on 9 March.

In early 2016, the centre was renamed from Satrosphere to Aberdeen Science Centre.

Refurbishment

On 11 November 2018, Aberdeen Science Centre was closed for refurbishment, which included the addition of a mezzanine floor to the building. During this time, the centre relocated to George Street for the duration of the renovation, with the new premises opening on 19 November.

The refurbished centre reopened in November 2020 and was officially reopened in October 2021 by the Astronomer Royal for Scotland Catherine Heymans.

On 7 August 2021, Aberdeen Science Centre opened a free-to-access branch in the Bon Accord Centre to promote the reopening of its primary location. It subsequently closed and was replaced with a Superdry shop in 2025.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Aberdeen Science Centre, Registered Charity no. SC014922". Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.
  2. ↑ Telfer, David (30 December 1985). "Group to boost science, technology". The Press and Journal. Aberdeen. p. 8. Retrieved 20 April 2026 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  3. ↑ Macdonald, Calum (30 August 1988). "Committed to science and technology project". The Press and Journal. Aberdeen. p. 9. Retrieved 20 April 2026 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. ↑ "High tech fair voted a success". The Press and Journal. Aberdeen. 8 December 1986. p. 3. Retrieved 20 April 2026 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. ↑ "City public hooked on bytes". The Press and Journal. Aberdeen. 7 December 1987. p. 7. Retrieved 20 April 2026 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. ↑ Dean, Susan (17 May 1988). "Aberdeen exhibition would look at nature in close-up". The Press and Journal. Aberdeen. p. 3. Retrieved 20 April 2026 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. ↑ Duckers, John (27 June 1988). "Aberdeen gets science show challenge". The Press and Journal. Aberdeen. p. 1. Retrieved 20 April 2026 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  8. ↑ "First science show for city". Evening Express. Aberdeen. 6 October 1988. p. 11. Retrieved 23 April 2026 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  9. ↑ "Science role for former hospital building". Evening Express. Aberdeen. 21 October 1988. p. 11. Retrieved 23 April 2026 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  10. ↑ Macdonald, Calum (29 December 1988). "Science centre still looking for a home". The Press and Journal. Aberdeen. p. 3. Retrieved 23 April 2026 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  11. ↑ "Former school will be emptied at last". The Press and Journal. Aberdeen. 27 December 1988. p. 3 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  12. ↑ Smith, Donald (22 March 1989). "All-out bid to house science centre". The Press and Journal. Aberdeen. p. 6. Retrieved 23 April 2026 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  13. ↑ Telfer, David (17 October 1989). "Science centre to open in new year". The Press and Journal. Aberdeen. p. 3. Retrieved 23 April 2026 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  14. ↑ Macdonald, Arthur (16 February 1990). "Reaping the benefits of micro organisms in farming". The Scotsman. p. 12. Retrieved 23 April 2026 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  15. ↑ "Place to prove that learning can be fun". The Courier and Advertiser. 16 February 1990. p. 7. Retrieved 23 April 2026 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  16. ↑ Stewart, Steve (16 February 1990). "Science centre is a hit". The Press and Journal. Aberdeen. p. 11. Retrieved 20 April 2026 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  17. ↑ "Aberdeen Science Centre founder recognised with honorary doctorate degree". AGCC. 28 November 2016. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  18. ↑ Telfer, David (17 October 1989). "Science centre to open in new year". The Press and Journal. Aberdeen. p. 3. Retrieved 20 April 2026 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  19. ↑ Aspley, Suzy (10 February 2000). "Satrosphere's future in doubt on eve of 10th anniversary – Hanging in the balance". Evening Express. Aberdeen. p. 13. Retrieved 24 April 2026 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  20. ↑ "Sci of relief as Satrosphere finds a new home". Evening Express. Aberdeen. 19 April 2000. p. 2. Retrieved 24 April 2026 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  21. ↑ Howie, Michael (17 March 2001). "Doors open at new Satrosphere". The Press and Journal. Aberdeen. p. 5. Retrieved 24 April 2026 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  22. ↑ "Fans make tracks for Satrosphere". Evening Express. Aberdeen. 19 March 2001. p. 13. Retrieved 24 April 2026 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  23. ↑ "Submission from Scottish Science Centres Network Scottish Science Centres Network". publications.parliament.uk. June 2007. Archived from the original on 26 June 2009. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  24. ↑ Welsh, Susan (7 March 2001). "Satrosphere lives on at tramsheds". Evening Express. Aberdeen. p. 19. Retrieved 6 May 2026 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  25. ↑ @AberdeenSci (1 February 2016). "New name, same passion for #STEM engagement! Satrosphere Science Centre is now Aberdeen Science Centre. Keep following @AberdeenSci" (Tweet). Retrieved 23 April 2026 – via Twitter.
  26. ↑ "Aberdeen Science Centre awards major redevelopment contract to Bancon Construction". Scottish Construction Now. 30 April 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  27. ↑ Robertson, Kirsten (1 November 2018). "Aberdeen Science Centre will close its doors for a week". The Press and Journal. Aberdeen. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  28. ↑ Porter, David (3 November 2020). "Transformational new look for science centre". Grampian Online. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  29. ↑ Beresford, Alan (18 October 2021). "Science centre reaches for the stars at official reopening". The Northern Scot. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  30. ↑ Ritchie, Kyle (7 August 2021). "Aberdeen Science Centre opens new pop-up exhibition". Grampian Online. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  31. ↑ Williams, Rachel; Britton, Ruaraidh (8 November 2025). "Major clothing shop makes Aberdeen return in Bon Accord months after Union Square closure". Aberdeen Live. Retrieved 4 May 2026.