On a chilly October night, reporter Olivia Sheed attended the Centre for Life's adults-only Late at Life event, a sold-out evening that lets grown-ups explore science with a glass of wine in hand. The 18+ event, held at the Newcastle science centre, offered a nostalgic yet fresh experience for adults who grew up visiting the venue on school trips.
A Night Out at the Science Centre
Walking from Central Station to Times Square, Sheed passed by Rusty's and Digital before heading to the Centre for Life, whose doors were unusually open at night. Unlike the usual young visitors, this event was exclusively for adults, with tickets marked 18+ and alcohol available throughout the exhibits.
Sheed, who vividly remembers the ice wall display from her childhood, was intrigued by the chance to see what new exhibits the centre had to offer. The event featured science demonstrations explaining how they apply to everyday life, such as studying smoke rings to help aviation engineers design planes.
Dinosaurs and Dirty Talks
The Lightbox area drew a diverse crowd, from students to people in their 50s, with some attendees dressing up for the dinosaur exhibit in fancy dress and themed shirts. Special talks on "Dirty Dinos" were held through the night, where speaker Blair explained theories on how dinosaurs reproduced, a topic deemed not safe for work and unsuitable for the centre's usual audience.
Blair even wore a massive Parasaurolophus head to demonstrate how dinosaurs used their long horns to call out to potential mates, much like a modern wind instrument. The talk, which featured a toy Psittacosaurus, was a highlight for many curious adults.
Rekindling Childhood Curiosity
For Sheed, the event rekindled the natural curiosity that had waned with the advent of Google. She spent the entire night with her smartphone in her pocket, simply enjoying the fun of science. The sold-out event had just enough people to avoid feeling crowded, and staff were eager to engage with visitors who had not been to the centre for years.
Reflecting on the experience, Sheed noted that returning to the Centre for Life as an adult felt like nurturing her inner nerd, walking around with a smile and learning throughout the night. The event offered a unique opportunity to see the more "adult" side of science, making it a memorable night out for all attendees.
