Billed as a world-class visitor attraction designed to unleash the spirit of discovery in everyone, this island's first interactive science centre more than lives up to the hype.
The W5, (who, what, where, when, why) centre at the Odyssey complex in Belfast, is a revelation. A visit guarantees hours of fun whether you fancy designing a rollercoaster, standing in a wind tunnel or making your own cartoons. This is certainly edutainment at its very best.
Any Dome-style scepticism The Irish Times may have harboured on a recent visit evaporated as quickly as the cloud rings we were encouraged to make in the centre's first section, Wow. This holds a small number of exhibits based on earth, fire and water including a five-metre fire tornado.
The Start section is next and though designed for under-eights, the most mature adults will want to join in. There is a supermarket with every kind of product in miniature. Children can swipe goods at the checkout while the cash machine emits a realistic beep.
Another favourite is the building site where budding foremen can operate a mini-crane and build a house. One tip - if you bring under-eights leave this section until last because they will want to stay all day and the rest of W5 will go unexplored.
Across the hallway is Go, a place for physical exploration. Here you can test your balance, build your own racing car, hoist yourself up on pulleys or see what it's like for wheelchair racers and go head-to-head in a simulated race.
In See, the senses are heightened with the aid of multimedia microscopes, lasers and experiments designed to explore perceptions. This section features illusions and a nifty laser harp. Look, no strings!
The final section is Do and it does exactly what it says on the tin. Whizz-kids and thrill-seekers can build robots, tinker with electric circuits and build bridges.
Created by US based company Hands On!, W5 has an industrial feel which fits in with the exhibits. The endless flights of iron stairs give it the air of a prison but even they hold a secret. These are musical steps, which play different notes from a surprising number of instruments as people climb them.
Dr Sally Montgomery, project director, says the centre is not just about science "but about developing new skills, having fun and encouraging young and old to push themselves to their creative limits". The 12,000square metre centre has more than a 100 interactive exhibits. As the very helpful staff at W5 would say, "Go!"
W5 opens tomorrow at the Odyssey Complex in Belfast. Admission costs £5 for adults, £3 a child, £2.50 for each member of an education group and £14 for a family. It is open Monday to Friday, 10.00 a.m.6.00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 12 p.m.6.00 p.m. Last admittance is 5.00 p.m. For more information contact W5 at 048 90 46 7700.