Set to mark 40 years open this November, Cardiff’s science discovery centre Techniquest is still one of a kind. CEO Sue Wardle met with Neve Blue to discuss its history, most enduring exhibits, birthday celebrations and future plans.
The name Techniquest is one liable to induce nostalgia and fondness for many people across Wales. Since it opened in Cardiff city centre in 1986, its mission has been to provide fun, educational experiences and displays to appeal to all ages. Now found in Cardiff Bay, where it’s been since the late 90s, and featuring over 100 interactive exhibits in its current incarnation, the discovery centre resides on Stuart Street, and on the site of a former heavy engineering plant.
As Techniquest CEO Sue Wardle and I take a stroll round the centre, she talks of its reputation with evident pride. “Our home is an amazing, iconic building – everybody would recognise what Techniquest looks like. We’ve been in it for 30 years, which is quite something, and it’s got its own history.”
That history is at the core of Techniquest’s 40th birthday celebrations. Its official opening date was 13 Nov 1986, in a building just across the road from Cardiff Castle, but there are anniversary events set to take place throughout 2026. “Our theme is 40 years of discovery,” says Wardle, “and within that we’ll be talking about the past, the present and the future. So the new exhibits coming on in July will be a nod to the past, bringing back some old favourites that visitors have asked us about, and some new exhibits as well.”
Last year, Techniquest launched a new interactive space, the Bradbury Zone – titled in reference to the Bradbury Foundation Hong Kong, one of the main funders that helped facilitate the area. Since its opening, the zone has been home to temporary activities and events, and is now set to become a permanent space, Create & Shape.
“It’ll be all around family interactive learning,” Wardle says of this space – a calmer space to sit down for family activity, in comparison to the busier, more active environment of many other sections of Techniquest. “You can’t have innovation and invention without creativity, so we champion the arts alongside STEM [science, technology, engineering and maths].”
With a broad variety of exhibits having appeared on the Techniquest floor across four decades, some have proven to be favourites of returning customers throughout the years: the giant piano, plasma sphere, Bernoulli Blower and the low light zone to name a few. By all accounts, plans to retire some of these have been reversed when it’s become apparent how popular they are with the clientele.
Alongside exhibits that have stood the test of time at Techniquest, it’s also important for the centre to engage with new and ever-changing facets of STEM, such as the rise of AI. “We’re trying to stay relevant with everything that we do,” Wardle says. “We’re doing quite a lot of work at the moment with businesses to try and understand what they think the workforce of the future is going to be like.”
And, she notes, while AI is beginning to change and automate things, “I don’t think you can ever get away from the fact that young people are going to need communication skills and problem-solving skills. All of that stems from curiosity and asking questions, and that’s absolutely everything that we’re about here. Making science fun and hands-on; inspiring everyone, but mostly young people, to be curious about things.”
That 40-year milestone is also being commemorated in Techniquest’s premium pass, available from Fri 27 Mar and subject to a 40% discount for the first 40 days of its sale. Further news and updates will be posted on Techniquest’s website.
Info: techniquest.org
words NEVE BLUE
