‘We the Curious shows how science is woven into our culture, our creativity and our everyday lives’

This month marks 25 years since I joined We The Curious.

What I thought would be a two-year role turned into the most incredible, challenging and meaningful chapter I could have imagined; one that quite simply changed my life and touched millions of others.

I walked through the doors thinking I was passing through, just a moment in my career, but I stayed because something brilliant happened: I discovered science was for everyone. Including me.

I think back to 2000 and my plan to move from one attraction to another. My sights were set on Disneyland after a stint at Alton Towers. I joined At-Bristol (as we were called then) just as it opened as assistant visitors services manager, intending to stay for a few years before heading off to pastures new.

I was convinced that science was not for me. At school it felt like science was about having the right answer, not about asking more questions. I felt out of my depth and my GCSE results reflected that.

But joining a place that explored the broad and brilliant spectrum of science and invited everyone to join in, showed me that it was okay not to know. That asking questions was a vital and important part of science.

And contrary to how I’d felt at school, not knowing the answer, and questioning ‘why’ was a powerful key that could lead to unlocking beautiful curiosity.

The parachutes are a long-time favourite at We The Curious – photo: Daniel Watkiss

We’ve seen more than 6m people come through our doors since we opened in 2000, including hundreds of thousands of school children from Bristol and beyond.

There’s nothing like hearing a school group arrive for the day, and seeing eyes and minds light up as they get hands-on with the hundreds of things to do here.

And sometimes, a visit can be truly life changing. One of our ambassadors, Christy Nunns, shared how he experienced the power of curiosity first-hand:

“I was an inquisitive kid who got pulled out of school to be home-educated by my mum, and visits to We The Curious (then At-Bristol) were an amazing opportunity to get hands on with science in a way I’d never imagined before.

“I still remember my first visit. I couldn’t believe it! Where else could a curious kid play with prisms and bubbles and giant hamster wheels and whisper dishes and watch balloons explode and constellations overhead and all in the same day?!

“Over the years, we kept coming back, playing a big part in my passion for science, and helped me build the confidence to go back into school for GCSEs and A-Levels; eventually going on to study a master’s degree in physics.

“Knowing the impact We The Curious can have on young people, I became a volunteer. Now, a decade later, the science communication skills I learned on the job help me every day running a production company specialising in science and tech.

“It’s no exaggeration to say that without those visits and the incredible Live Science team, I wouldn’t be where I am now.”

Donna Speed (with scissors) and the Explore team in 2010 – photo: We The Curious

Science isn’t just laboratories and textbooks; it’s woven into our culture, our creativity, our everyday lives. The moment I realised it was for everyone, it changed everything.

I’ve spent 25 years alongside the most incredible people – volunteers, visitors, team and trustees – all working to make science more equitable, accessible and human.

I’ve seen the joy, the discovery, the impact – not just here, but through the work of our fellow brilliant science centres across the UK.

To celebrate our 25th birthday with everyone who’s been part of our journey, we’re collecting your stories.

However, you know us – whether that’s as At-Bristol or We The Curious (or even our predecessor, The Exploratory) – we’d really love to hear your memories.

Maybe you came on a school trip that sparked something, took your first steps here or even got married under the stars in the planetarium?

Whatever your connection with us, you’re part of our history and we’re really proud of that, and we’d love you to share it.

We can’t tell our story without yours. Working with some local artists, we’re going to be creating a very special timeline so please do submit your stories, and be part of it.

Donna Speed has skilfully led the science centre through a name change, Covid and a serious fire – photo: Martin Booth

I’m marking my 25-year anniversary being grateful for the experiences so far, the people I’ve met, the purpose I’ve found and the unexpected journey that changed my life.

What I intended to be a short-term role became the spark that ignited a lifelong passion for inclusion, curiosity and creating spaces where everyone feels science is for them.

I’ve seen that when we make space for different voices and different questions, we don’t just make science more accessible; we make it more powerful, inspired by people.

I’m proud of what we’ve built together over the last 25 years and can’t wait to see what the next 25 hold. Because when curiosity leads, anything is possible.

This is an opinion piece by Donna Speed, the chief executive of We The Curious

Main photo: Julian Welsh

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