Giant robotic snail takes over Life Centre to celebrate British Science Week

Chi Onwurah, MP for Newcastle Central and West, and Chair of the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, was at Life to officially launch the 10-day-celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), which runs until Sunday, March 16.

The event also marked the launch of Life’s 25th birthday celebrations with the award-winning centre celebrating a quarter century in May.

The snail, which has been named Luma, is at Life until Satruday, March 15, and has been created by leading robotics studio Air Giants and uses world-pioneering mechanical technology to interact with visitors, its three-metre-high head bending to greet people as they approach.

This is the first time that Luma has been in the North East after delighting audiences across the UK, giving visitors to Life a unique opportunity to get up close to the interactive giant glowing snail.

Luma is the highlight of a special programme of robotic themed events which includes an adult Science Speakeasy on 13 March, that explores whether robots could help solve the UK’s care crisis. An opportunity to visit Luma is included as part of the event.

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More than 2000 schoolchildren will also be visiting Life for curriculum-linked robotics workshops over the week.

Chi Onwurah said: “I am delighted to celebrate British Science Week, a time when we shine a spotlight on the incredible contributions of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to our society.

“And it is only fitting that we mark this occasion at the Centre for Life, an institution that has been at the heart of STEM engagement in our region for 25 years.”