25 Years in Review: 2001–2026

Glasgow Science Centre marks 25 years since opening in 2001 with a review of its impact as Scotland's leading STEM education charity. Over the period, it has welcomed 10 million visitors, engaged 1.4 million pupils and worked with 800 community groups. The review sets out ambitions for the next 25 years including expanded outreach, new exhibits, and a 2026 Holyrood election manifesto calling for greater government recognition of science centres.

Report snapshot
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📋About

Science Mall with 450 interactive exhibits; Planetarium; IMAX Theatre; Glasgow Tower; Learning Lab school programmes; community outreach across Scotland; Experience Development Service for external partners; corporate STEM engagement; 12 Learning Labs

📊Key Metrics

10 million public visitors since opening in 2001 Key Metric 1
1.4 million pupils engaged through educational programmes across 32 local authorities Key Metric 2
70,000 participants supported through 800 community groups via outreach Key Metric 3

Key Outcomes

  • 6.5 million online visitors and 110,000+ social media followers reached with science engagement content
  • Over 600,000 corporate delegates hosted, with 5 founding Corporate Members joining in 2025
  • Collaborated with 150 organisations and 7,000 experts to design interactive exhibits over 25 years

📍Geography

Scotland

2025 Enhanced

Annual Review 2024-25

55,000 foster carers and 370 fostering service providers as members across the UK
Key Metric 1
45 new Fostering Friendly Employers recruited, bringing the scheme to over 680,000 employees across the UK
Key Metric 2
95 Fostering Wellbeing Pioneers in Wales offering peer support and mentoring to fellow foster carers
Key Metric 3
191 children and young people engaged in outdoor adventure weeks through the Fostering Attainment and Achievement programme in Northern Ireland
2024

Annual Review 2024

450+ adults and young people enrolled on Adult Learning courses annually, with 94.77% achieving their learning goals
Key Metric 1
368 participants improved spoken and written English through ESOL courses in 2024
Key Metric 2
300+ children receiving extra reading support across 12 Leeds schools through 70+ volunteers
Key Metric 3
45 single parents supported into employment, education or training through Single Parent Power project