Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Culture in Denmark
Designed by Danish architects CEBRA in 2017, the new Experimentarium re-opened with a three-storey space that more than doubled the old Experimentarium’s exhibition area. Photo: Adam Mørk
Science — the Danish way According to TIME Magazine, Denmark’s Experimentarium is nothing less than one of the World’s 100 Greatest Places. Scan Magazine takes a look at what makes the science centre and its Danish approach to science so special. Clue: it has more to do with soap bubbles, laughter and kissy faces than science books. By Signe Hansen
Just a short bike ride north of central Copenhagen lies Experimentarium, a huge science centre built to celebrate and stimulate the inherently curious human mind. Through intuitive and playful hands-on exploration, the centre brings science to life – all the visitor has to do is jump right in and get started. “What I love about Experimentarium is that the kids just naturally get it. In a mat50 | Issue 122 | March 2019
ter of seconds, they get busy exploring and experimenting – it’s all completely intuitive and there is so much to discover,” says Anders, father of Lily and Ellen. They are all visiting Experimentarium to celebrate Lily’s eighth birthday. The exhibits and activities are accompanied by easy instructions – in Danish and English – as well as scientific background information. “There is enough
knowledge to satisfy even the most curious mind,” says Kim Gladstone Herlev, CEO of Experimentarium. “But for the most part, Experimentarium is all about experimenting and using your body and brain to explore the wonders of natural science.”
One of the world’s 100 greatest places In August 2018, TIME Magazine placed Experimentarium on its new list of the World’s 100 Greatest Places. Tivoli, the world-famous restaurant Noma, and Experimentarium were the only Danish attractions to make the cut. Furthermore, Experimentarium is the only science centre in any country on the list.