Liverpool John Moores University is supporting a brand new science and discovery centre aimed at inspiring children and young people.

Eureka! Mersey – a sister attraction to the hugely popular Eureka! in Halifax – is set to open at Seacombe Ferry Terminal replacing Spaceport in early 2022.

It will feature exciting exhibits and activities for 6-14 year olds, based around science, technology, engineering, arts and maths. It will also have an area dedicated to 0-5 year olds.

LJMU’s School of Sport and Exercise Sciences is working with the Eureka team to help co-create imaginative, stimulating content for the centre, around a theme of ‘My Personal Best’.

The exhibition space will look at how sport and exercise science can help elite athletes to achieve the marginal gains necessary to succeed at the highest level. It will also appeal to non-athletes, with a focus on nutrition, health and wellbeing.

LJMU and Eureka! Mersey are now working closely to share ideas and develop plans for the exhibition.

Staff from LJMU’s School of Sport and Exercise Sciences have already delivered a successful co-creation session with Year 7 pupils from Oldershaw Academy to develop ideas for the Eureka! Mersey exhibition. Professor Greg Whyte delivered a keynote presentation, sharing insights into his work with elite athletes and on high-profile projects for Comic Relief and Sport Relief.

Professor Zoe Knowles, from LJMU’s School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, said:

“I’m thrilled that we are able to support the fantastic new Eureka! Mersey centre.

“Here at LJMU, we are passionate about our engagement and outreach activity, working with our partners to connect with communities across the Liverpool City Region. I’m particularly delighted that we have this wonderful opportunity to stimulate children’s natural curiosity and interest in STEAM subjects.

“Eureka! Mersey will be a unique, inspiring visitor attraction and we look forward to continuing our work with the Oldershaw students and Eureka! team to contribute ideas for the centre.”

Leigh-Anne Stradeski, Eureka! Chief Executive said “We are delighted to be working with LJMU and the Year 7s from Oldershaw.  The expertise Zoe and colleagues from the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences bring to the co-creation of “My Personal Best” is invaluable.  This will be one part of a larger exhibition which focusses on the body, health and well-being, a theme which the children and young people involved in co-creation identified as being of great interest and importance to them.

“Using the playful, hands-on discovery approach which characterises the Eureka! experience at our venue in Halifax, we are confident that we will get all of our visitors excited and engaged in science, technology, engineering, arts and maths.”