The Word, National Centre for the Written Word has a new exhibition opening as well as a whole host of events and activities to enjoy during the summer holidays, including:-
Exhibition:
Amazing Space
Saturday 29 June – Sunday 23 February 2020
FREE
Suitable for all ages
The Word’s new, out-of-this-world exhibition marks 50 years since man first set foot on the Moon. Explore both Space fact and fiction, discover the stories inspired by Space and watch clips from classic science-fiction movies old and new.
Take ‘one small step’ inside the astronaut’s spacesuit and replicate the photograph taken on the first Moon landing, or head to the Command Module and watch a short film all about life as an astronaut – the good, the bad and the occasionally unpleasant!
Solve the Space-scene jigsaw and listen to a selection of Space-themed music. See costumes from Star Trek and Star Wars and marvel at an original Washington Post newspaper dated the day after the 1969 Moon landing, which has been signed by legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin.
Supported by Arts Council England.
Summer events:
Space Takeover Day
Saturday 20 July, 10am-4pm
Join The Word for a day of family fun as they celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Moon landing. There will be storytelling with Simon Bartram, author and illustrator of Bob, the Man on the Moon, Space science fun with Big Bang Science Party, t-shirt designing with artist Mik Richardson, a FabLab drop-in session and craft activities.
Visitors can also get a sneak preview of The Word’s Elmer in Elmer’s Great North Parade during the Space Takeover Day. The Word will be welcoming Elmer Armstrong for a special appearance before the trail begins in August. Created by artist Mik Richardson, Elmer Armstrong celebrates the first man to walk on the Moon – Neil Armstrong.
For more information and to book tickets for individual events: www.theworduk.org
Arts and crafts
Every Monday and Thursday of the summer holidays, 10am-11am & 2.30-3.30pm
£1 per child. Tickets must be bought in person from Level 2 of The Word. Suitable for children aged 4-11
Booking required
Children can enjoy Space-themed arts and crafts sessions as part of the Summer Reading Challenge 2019.
For more information: www.theworduk.org
Alien Adventures
Friday 26 July, 10.30am, 12.45pm and 2.15pm
£3.50 per child, £2.50 per adult, £10.50 family of 4, £1 children under 1. Suitable for under 7’s and their families
Booking required
Children will discover the adventures of an alien in the first summer storytelling in the immersive StoryWorld! There will be alien stories, songs, games and a craft activity to enjoy.
For information and to book: www.theworduk.org
Design your own Space Pixel Art
Wednesday 31 July, 10am-12noon and 2-4pm
£3 per child. Suitable for children aged 7-11
Booking required
Children will design their own space-themed pixel art in this interactive session, their design will then be laser cut into a keyring or coaster in FabLab @ The Word.
For information and to book: www.theworduk.org
Star Wars Coding
Wednesday 7 August, 10am-12noon and 2-4pm
£3 per child. Suitable for children aged 8-12
Booking required
Take a trip to a galaxy far, far away and explore how coding can control a droid in a game. Develop your skills in computing and solve problems as you go in this exciting Star Wars themed coding session.
For information and to book: www.theworduk.org
Tales from Outer Space
Friday 9 August, 10.30am, 12.45pm and 2.15pm
£3.50 per child, £2.50 per adult, £10.50 family of 4, £1 children under 1. Suitable for under 7’s and their families
Booking required
Get ready to blast off into outer Space in this storytelling session at The Word. Children will be amazing as they listen to tales of planets and adventures to the Moon. They will also join in with songs, do crafts and take part in space-themed activities.
For information and to book: www.theworduk.org
Space Robotics
Wednesday 14 August, 10am-12noon and 2-4pm
£3 per child. Suitable for children aged 7-11
Booking required
If you enjoy a challenge and want to have fun, go along to this session where you will learn all about programming robots.
For information and to book: www.theworduk.org
Big Bang Science Party
Wednesday 14 August, 11am-12noon and 2-3pm
£4 per child, £2 per adult. Suitable for over 4’s
Booking required
The hugely popular Big Bang Science Party returns with lots of science fun! Children can enjoy building spinning galaxies and will see Space light and sound demonstrations, as well as join in with other out-of-this-world experiments.
For information and to book: www.theworduk.org
Elmer’s Great North Parade
Wednesday 21 August – Friday 1 November
The Word will be taking part in Elmer’s Great North Parade, which will run for 11 weeks from August to November 2019. In honour of their Amazing Space exhibition and the 50th anniversary of the first Moon landing, The Word will be welcoming Elmer Armstrong during the trail – a celebration of the first man to walk on the Moon, Neil Armstrong.
For more information visit www.theworduk.org
Elmer and Friends
Friday 23 August, 10.30am, 12.45pm and 2.15pm
Booking required
£3.50 per child, £2.50 per adult, £10.50 family of 4, £1 children under 1. Suitable for under 7’s and their families
Join The Word for their final storytelling session of the summer. Children will listen to stories about Elmer the Patchwork Elephant and discover his exciting adventures, as well as join in with crafts, sing songs and play games.
For information and to book: www.theworduk.org
Space Chase Movie Makers
Wednesday 28 August, 10am-12noon and 1.30-3.30pm
£4 per child. Suitable for children aged 7-11
Booking required
Explore characters, location and plot, together children will create a Space-themed story entirely from their own ideas through improvisation, games and tasks before bringing it to life using costumes and props.
For information and to book: www.theworduk.org
Events for adults:
An Audience with A.M. Peacock
Saturday 6 July, 2-4pm
Free, booking required. Suitable for ages 16+
To celebrate the launch of his latest novel, crime writer A.M. Peacock will be coming to The Word to discuss his book.
For information and to book: www.theworduk.org
An Audience with Shirley Dickson
Saturday 10 August, 1-2pm
Free, booking required. Suitable for ages 16+
The Word will be welcoming author Shirley Dickson as she launches her new book ‘Our Last Goodbye’.
For information and to book: www.theworduk.org