Science Museum, London

File:Making the Modern World gallery london science museum.JPG

The museum was founded in 1857 under Bennet Woodcroft from the collection of the Royal Society of Arts and surplus items from the Great Exhibition as part of the South Kensington Museum, together with what is now the Victoria and Albert Museum. It included a collection of machinery which became the Museum of Patents in 1858, and the Patent Office Museum in 1863. This collection contained many of the most famous exhibits of what is now the Science Museum.

In 1883, the contents of the Patent Office Museum were transferred to the South Kensington Museum. In 1885, the Science Collections were renamed the Science Museum and in 1893 a separate director was appointed.{{cite web |title=Science Museum | British History Online |url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=47533 |access-date=2015-03-10 |publisher=British-history.ac.uk |archive-date=18 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090418004426/http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=47533 |url-status=live }} The Art Collections were renamed the Art Museum, which eventually became the Victoria and Albert Museum.

When Queen Victoria laid the foundation stone for the new building for the Art Museum, she stipulated that the museum be renamed after herself and her late husband. This was initially applied to the whole museum, but when that new building finally opened ten years later, the title was confined to the Art Collections and the Science Collections had to be divorced from it.{{cite web |title=Museum history |url=http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/about-us/history |access-date=2016-06-24 |work=About us |publisher=Science Museum |location=London |archive-date=2 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702212138/http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/about-us/history |url-status=live }} On 26 June 1909 the Science Museum, as an independent entity, came into existence.

The Science Museum's present quarters, designed by Sir Richard Allison, were opened to the public in stages over the period 1919–28.{{cite encyclopedia |title=Science Museum (museum, London, United Kingdom) – Britannica Online Encyclopedia |encyclopedia=Britannica.com |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/528865/Science-Museum |access-date=2010-07-07 |author=Encyclopædia Britannica |archive-date=21 August 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821094851/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/528865/Science-Museum |url-status=live }} This building was known as the East Block, construction of which began in 1913 and was temporarily halted by World War I. As the name suggests it was intended to be the first building of a much larger project, which was never realized.{{cite web |url=http://www.architecture.com/LibraryDrawingsAndPhotographs/Albertopolis/TheStoryOf/ScienceMuseum/Construction.aspx%2f |title=Construction |website=architecture.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411134137/http://www.architecture.com/LibraryDrawingsAndPhotographs/Albertopolis/TheStoryOf/ScienceMuseum/Construction.aspx%2f |archive-date=11 April 2014}} However, the museum buildings were expanded over the following years; a pioneering Children's Gallery with interactive exhibits opened in 1931, the Centre Block was completed in 1961–3, the infill of the East Block and the construction of the Lower & Upper Wellcome Galleries in 1980, and the construction of the Wellcome Wing in 2000 result in the museum now extending to Queen's Gate.

The leading academic publisher, Palgrave Macmillan, published the official centenary history of the Science Museum on 14 April 2010. The first complete history since 1957, Science for the Nation: Perspectives on the History of the Science Museum is a series of individual views by Science Museum staff and external academic historians of different aspects of the Science Museum's history. While it is not a chronological history in the conventional sense, the first five chapters cover the history of the museum from the Brompton Boilers in the 1860s to the opening of the Wellcome Wing in 2000. The remaining eight chapters cover a variety of themes concerning the museum's development.

The Science Museum consists of two buildings – the main building and the Wellcome Wing. Visitors enter the main building from Exhibition Road, while the Wellcome Wing is accessed by walking through the Energy Hall, Exploring Space and then the Making the Modern World galleries (see below) at ground floor level.

File:Science Museum - East Hall 2390.jpg

File:Steam engine in Science Museum Power gallery.webm in the Energy Gallery in motion]]

The Energy Hall is the first area that most visitors see as they enter the building. On the ground floor, the gallery contains a variety of steam engines, including the oldest surviving James Watt beam engine, which together tell the story of the British Industrial Revolution.

Also on display is a recreation of James Watt's garret workshop from his home, Heathfield Hall, using over 8,300 objects removed from the room, which was sealed after his 1819 death, when the hall was demolished in 1927.{{cite web |title=Watt's workshop |url=https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co52335/james-watts-garret-workshop-used-1790-1819 |publisher=Science Museum, London |access-date=2020-05-07 |archive-date=11 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611142640/https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co52335/james-watts-garret-workshop-used-1790-1819 |url-status=live }}

Exploring Space is a historical gallery, filled with rockets and exhibits that tell the story of human space exploration and the benefits that space exploration has brought us (particularly in the world of telecommunications).

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Making the Modern World displays some of the museum's most remarkable objects, including Puffing Billy (the oldest surviving steam locomotive), Crick's double helix, and the command module from the Apollo 10 mission, which are displayed along a timeline chronicling man's technological achievements.

A V-2 rocket, designed by German rocket scientist Wernher von Braun, is displayed in this gallery. Doug Millard, space historian and curator of space technology at the museum, states: "We got to the Moon using V-2 technology but this was technology that was developed with massive resources, including some particularly grim ones. The V-2 programme was hugely expensive in terms of lives, with the Nazis using slave labour to manufacture these rockets".{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Hollingham |title=V2: The Nazi rocket that launched the space age |url=https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20140905-the-nazis-space-age-rocket |date=8 September 2014 |access-date=26 February 2023 |publisher=BBC |archive-date=6 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306050345/https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20140905-the-nazis-space-age-rocket |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Millard |first1=Doug |title=V-2: The Rocket That Launched The Space Age |url=https://blog.sciencemuseum.org.uk/v-2-the-rocket-that-launched-the-space-age/ |website=Science Museum Blog |date=8 September 2014 |access-date=26 February 2023 |archive-date=19 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190919235705/https://blog.sciencemuseum.org.uk/v-2-the-rocket-that-launched-the-space-age/ |url-status=live }}

Stephenson's Rocket used to be displayed in this gallery. After a short UK tour, since 2019 Rocket is on permanent display at the National Railway Museum in York, in the Art Gallery.

The Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries is a five-gallery medical exhibition which spans ancient history to modern times with over 3000 exhibits and specially commissioned artworks.{{cite journal |last1=Burns |first1=Corrinne |date=13 December 2019 |title=Original Victorian pharmacy recreated in full at the Science Museum |url=https://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/news-and-analysis/opinion/books-and-arts/original-victorian-pharmacy-recreated-in-full-at-the-science-museum/20207418.article |journal=Pharmaceutical Journal |language=en |volume=303 |issue=7932 |access-date=10 February 2021 |archive-date=17 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217063625/https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/opinion/original-victorian-pharmacy-recreated-in-full-at-the-science-museum |url-status=live }} Many of the objects on display come from the Wellcome Collection started by Henry Wellcome.{{cite web |last1=Wong |first1=Henry |date=14 November 2019 |title=The Science Museum's £24 million exhibition gives medicine a human face |url=https://www.designweek.co.uk/issues/11-17-november-2019/science-museum-medicine-wellcome-galleries/ |access-date=10 February 2021 |website=Design Week |publisher=Centaur Media plc |language=en-UK |archive-date=14 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191114193346/https://www.designweek.co.uk/issues/11-17-november-2019/science-museum-medicine-wellcome-galleries/ |url-status=live }} One of the commissioned artworks is a large bronze sculpture of Rick Genest titled Self-Conscious Gene by Marc Quinn.{{cite journal |last1=Dobson |first1=Juliet |date=2019 |title=The marvellous history of medicine |url=https://www.bmj.com/content/367/bmj.l6603 |journal=BMJ |volume=367 |issue=367 |pages=l6603 |doi=10.1136/bmj.l6603 |pmid=31753815 |s2cid=208226685 |access-date=10 February 2021 |archive-date=22 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122024613/https://www.bmj.com/content/367/bmj.l6603 |url-status=live }} The galleries occupy the museum's entire first floor and opened on 16 November 2019.

The Clockmakers Museum is the world's oldest clock and watch museum which was originally assembled by the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers in London's Guildhall.

The Science City 1550–1800: The Linbury Gallery shows how London grew to be a global hub for trade, commerce and scientific enquiry.

The Mathematics: The Winton Gallery examines the role that mathematicians have had in building our modern world. In the landing area to access the gallery (stair C) is a working example of Charles Babbage's Difference engine No.2. This was built by the Science Museum and its main part completed in 1991, to celebrate 200 years since Babbage's birth, and was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects.{{Cite web |title=Mathematics: The Winton Gallery {{!}} Science Museum |url=https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/see-and-do/mathematics-winton-gallery |access-date=2024-04-08 |website=www.sciencemuseum.org.uk |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2016-12-07 |title=Zaha Hadid Architects' mathematics gallery opens at London Science Museum |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2016/12/07/zaha-hadid-architects-mathematics-winton-gallery-london-science-museum/ |access-date=2024-04-08 |website=Dezeen |language=en}}

File:Information Age Gallery at the Science Museum London.jpg

The Information Age gallery has exhibits covering the development of communications and computing over the last two centuries. It explores the six networks that have transformed global communications: The Cable, The Telephone Exchange, Broadcast, The Constellation, The Cell and The Web{{Cite web |url=https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/see-and-do |title=See and do |website=Science Museum |access-date=26 July 2019 |archive-date=23 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200123094644/https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/see-and-do |url-status=live }} It was opened on 24 October 2014 by the Queen, Elizabeth II, who sent her first tweet from here.{{cite web |date=24 October 2014 |title=Her Majesty The Queen sends her first tweet to unveil the Information Age |url=http://blog.sciencemuseum.org.uk/her-majesty-the-queen-sends-her-first-tweet-to-unveil-the-information-age/ |access-date=10 March 2015 |publisher=Blog.sciencemuseum.org.uk |archive-date=15 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315061139/http://blog.sciencemuseum.org.uk/her-majesty-the-queen-sends-her-first-tweet-to-unveil-the-information-age/ |url-status=live }}

One of the most popular{{cn|date=November 2022}} galleries in the museum is the interactive Wonderlab:The Equinor Gallery, formerly called Launchpad. The gallery is staffed by Explainers who demonstrate how exhibits work, conduct live experiments and perform shows to schools and the visiting public.

The Flight gallery charts the development of flight in the 20th century. Contained in the gallery are several full sized aeroplanes and helicopters, including Alcock and Brown's transatlantic Vickers Vimy (1919), Spitfire and Hurricane fighters, as well as numerous aero-engines and a cross-section of a Boeing 747. It opened in 1963 and was refurbished in the 1990s.{{cite web |last1=Rooney |first1=David |title=How did we get the planes in? |url=https://blog.sciencemuseum.org.uk/how-did-we-get-the-planes-in/ |website=Science Museum |date=12 August 2010 |access-date=4 October 2020 |archive-date=7 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180607061003/https://blog.sciencemuseum.org.uk/how-did-we-get-the-planes-in/ |url-status=live }}File:DNA Model Crick-Watson.jpg of the DNA model built by Crick and Watson in 1953]]File:Old bess beam engine may 2015.JPG, a surviving example of a steam engine made by James Watt, in 1777]]

Power Up is an interactive gaming gallery showcasing the history of video games and consoles from the past 50 years. Visitors can play on over 150 consoles, featuring consoles from the Binatone TV Master to the Play Station 5.

The Tomorrow's World gallery hosts topical science stories and free exhibitions including:

• Mission to Mercury: Bepi Columbo{{cite web |title=Mission to Mercury : Bepi Columbo |url=https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/see-and-do/mission-mercury-bepi-colombo |website=Science Museum |access-date=28 June 2021 |archive-date=2 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702224622/https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/see-and-do/mission-mercury-bepi-colombo |url-status=live }}
• Driverless: Who's in control? (exhibition ended January 2021){{cite web |title=Driverless : Who's in control? |url=https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/see-and-do/driverless-who-is-in-control |website=Science Museum |access-date=28 June 2021 |archive-date=2 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402204630/https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/see-and-do/driverless-who-is-in-control |url-status=live }}

The IMAX: The Ronson Theatre is an IMAX cinema which shows educational films (most in 3-D), as well as blockbusters and live events.{{Cite web |title=IMAX: The Ronson Theatre {{!}} Science Museum |url=https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/imax-cinema |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=sciencemuseum.org.uk |language=en |archive-date=21 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321152949/https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/imax-cinema |url-status=live }} It features a screen measuring 24.3 by 16.8 metres, with both a dual IMAX with Laser projection system and a traditional IMAX 15/70mm film projector, and an IMAX 12-channel sound system.{{Cite web |last=Har-Even |first=Benny |title=Behind The Curtain At The London Science Museum IMAX |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/bennyhareven/2021/12/28/behind-the-curtain-at-the-london-science-museum-imax/ |date=2020-12-28 |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=28 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228230939/https://www.forbes.com/sites/bennyhareven/2021/12/28/behind-the-curtain-at-the-london-science-museum-imax/ |url-status=live }}

Visitors to the Who Am I? gallery can explore the science of who they are through intriguing objects, provocative artworks and hands-on exhibits.

Energy Revolution: The Adani Green Energy Gallery explores how the world can generate and use energy more sustainably to urgently reduce carbon dioxide emissions from global energy systems and limit the impact of climate change.

The museum has some dedicated spaces for temporary exhibitions (both free and paid-for) and displays, on Level -1 (Basement Gallery), Level 0 (inside the Exploring Space Gallery and Tomorrow's World), Level 1 (Special Exhibition Gallery 1) and Level 2 (Special Exhibition Gallery 2 and The Studio). Most of these travel to other Science Museum Group sites, as well as nationally and internationally.

Past exhibitions have included:

• Sustaining Beauty – 90 years of art in engineering, on the evolution of design and engineering behind Alfa Romeo's cars (2001–2002).{{cite news |title=CUORE SPORTIVO AT THE SCIENCE MUSEUM |url=https://www.media.stellantis.com/uk-en/alfa-romeo/press/cuore-sportivo-at-the-science-museum |access-date=11 February 2025 |work=Stellantis |date=27 November 2001}}
• Bond, James Bond, an interactive James Bond themed exhibition featuring a behind-the-scenes exploration of the production of the film franchise (2002–2003).{{cite news |title=Bond, James Bond Exhibition |url=https://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/articles/exhibition_science_museum |access-date=11 February 2025 |work=MI6 - The Home Of James Bond |date=16 October 2002}}
• The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy – The Exhibition, an exhibition featuring props and costumes from Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy and focusing on the special effects used in the films (2003–2004).{{cite news |last1=Clarke |first1=Sean |title=Fantasy to reign at Science Museum |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2003/jul/08/lordoftherings.news |access-date=10 February 2025 |work=The Guardian |date=8 July 2003}}
• Future Face, on the science behind human faces and speculation about the future of cosmetic surgery and digitally enhanced faces (2004–2005).{{cite news |last1=Geoghegan |first1=Tom |title=Face of the future |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3704660.stm |access-date=10 February 2025 |work=BBC News |date=1 October 2004}}
• Pixar: 20 Years of Animation, an inside look at the art and technology behind American computer animation studio Pixar over the past 20 years (2006).{{cite news |last1=Rix |first1=Juliet |title=Days Out: Pixar exhibition at the Science Museum |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/uk/days-out-pixar-exhibition-at-the-science-museum-358111.html |access-date=10 February 2025 |work=Independent |date=16 April 2006}}
• The Science of Survival, an exhibition that allowed visitors to explore what the world might be like in 2050 and how humankind will meet the challenges of climate change and energy shortages (2008).{{cite news |title=Learn science of survival at London museum |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna25966478 |access-date=10 February 2025 |work=NBC News |date=1 August 2008}}
• Wallace and Gromit present A World of Cracking Ideas, a Wallace & Gromit themed exhibition designed to get children thinking about design and invention (2009).{{cite news |last1=Kennedy |first1=Maev |title=Wallace and Gromit world recreated in £2m exhibition at Science Museum |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/mar/26/wallace-gromit-science-museum |access-date=10 February 2025 |work=The Guardian |date=26 March 2009}}
• Codebreaker, on the life of Alan Turing (2012–2013).{{cite web |date=17 December 2012 |title=Codebreaker wins Great Exhibition award | Inside the Science Museum |url=https://blog.sciencemuseum.org.uk/codebreaker-wins-great-exhibition-award/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410122016/https://blog.sciencemuseum.org.uk/codebreaker-wins-great-exhibition-award/ |archive-date=10 April 2016 |access-date=10 March 2015 |publisher=Blog.sciencemuseum.org.uk}}
• Unlocking Lovelock, which explored the archive of James Lovelock (ended 2015).{{cite web |title=Unlocking Lovelock: Scientist, Inventor, Maverick |url=http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/lovelock?keywords=unlocking+lovelock |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205080939/http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/lovelock?keywords=unlocking+lovelock |archive-date=5 December 2014 |access-date=10 March 2015 |publisher=Sciencemuseum.org.uk}}
• Cosmonauts: Birth of Space Age (ended 2016).{{cite web |title=Cosmonauts: Birth of the Space Age |url=https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/what-was-on/cosmonauts-birth-space-age |website=Science Museum |access-date=28 June 2021 |archive-date=3 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403165245/https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/what-was-on/cosmonauts-birth-space-age |url-status=live }}
• Wounded – Conflict, Casualties and Care (2016–2018){{cite web |title=Wounded: Conflict, Casualties and Care |url=https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/what-was-on/wounded-conflict-casualties-and-care |website=Science Museum |access-date=28 June 2021 |archive-date=3 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703055801/https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/what-was-on/wounded-conflict-casualties-and-care |url-status=live }} – timed to commemorated the centenary of the Battle of the Somme; explored the development of medical treatment for wounded soldiers during the First World War.
• Robots (ended 2017).{{cite web |title=Robots |url=https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/what-was-on/robots#:~:text=A%20blockbuster%20exhibition%20that%20explored,artefacts%20from%20around%20the%20globe. |website=Science Museum |access-date=20 March 2023 |archive-date=30 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130152646/https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/what-was-on/robots#:~:text=A%20blockbuster%20exhibition%20that%20explored,artefacts%20from%20around%20the%20globe. |url-status=live }}
• The Sun: Living with our Star (ended 2019).{{cite web |title=The Sun: Living with our star |url=https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/what-was-on/sun-living-our-star |website=Science Museum |access-date=28 June 2021 |archive-date=6 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606085616/https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/what-was-on/sun-living-our-star |url-status=live }}
• The Last Tsar: Blood and Revolution (ended 2019).{{cite web |title=The Last Tsar: Blood and Revolution |url=https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/what-was-on/last-tsar-blood-and-revolution |website=Science Museum |access-date=28 June 2021 |archive-date=5 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405043927/https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/what-was-on/last-tsar-blood-and-revolution |url-status=live }}
• Top Secret: From Cyphers to Cyber Security (ended 2020, closed at the Science and Industry Museum on 31 August 2021).{{cite web |title=Top Secret : From Cyphers to Cyber Security |url=https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/what-was-on/top-secret |website=Science Museum |access-date=28 June 2021 |archive-date=26 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226121051/https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/what-was-on/top-secret |url-status=live }}
• Art of Innovation – from Enlightenment to Dark Matter (2019–2020) – explored the interaction between science, the arts and society; included artworks by Boccioni, Constable, Hepworth, Hockney, Lowry and Turner.{{cite web |title=The Art of Innovation: From Enlightenment to Dark Matter |url=https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/what-was-on/art-innovation-enlightenment-dark-matter |website=Science Museum |access-date=28 June 2021 |archive-date=26 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226054703/https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/what-was-on/art-innovation-enlightenment-dark-matter |url-status=live }}
• Science Fiction: Voyage to the Edge of Imagination (2022–2023) {{cite web |title=Science Fiction |url=https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/see-and-do/science-fiction |website=Science Museum |access-date=20 March 2023 |archive-date=2 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202103024/https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/see-and-do/science-fiction |url-status=live }}
• The Science Box contemporary science series toured various venues in the UK and Europe in the 1990s and from 1995 The Science of Sport appeared in various incarnations and venues around the World. In 2005 The Science Museum teamed up with Fleming Media to set up The Science of... to develop and tour exhibitions including The Science of Aliens,{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2005/aug/28/theobserver.theobserversuknewspages |title=They're aliens ... but not as we know them |date=27 August 2005 |first=Robin |last=McKie |website=The Guardian |access-date=25 May 2023 |archive-date=19 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140919100340/https://www.theguardian.com/science/2005/aug/28/theobserver.theobserversuknewspages |url-status=live }} The Science of Spying{{cite web |url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/visual_arts/article1311372.ece |title=Unlock the secrets of the spying game |date=February 3, 2007 |publisher=Times Online |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080709000709/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/visual_arts/article1311372.ece |archive-date=July 9, 2008}} and The Science of Survival.{{cite web |url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/events/artexhibition-20641769-details/The+Science+of+Survival/artexhibitionReview.do?reviewId=23474507 |website=This is London |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430195551/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/events/artexhibition-20641769-details/The+Science+of+Survival/artexhibitionReview.do?reviewId=23474507 |archive-date=April 30, 2008 |title=Preparing for the future |first=Antonia |last=Cox |date=April 4, 2008}}
• In 2014 the museum launched the family science Energy Show, which toured the country.{{cite web |title=Science Museum Live: The Energy Show |url=http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/visitmuseum/plan_your_visit/theatre_shows/the_energy_show.aspx |access-date=10 March 2015 |publisher=Sciencemuseum.org.uk |archive-date=13 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130813082747/http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/visitmuseum/plan_your_visit/theatre_shows/the_energy_show.aspx |url-status=live }}
• The same year it began a new programme of touring exhibitions which opened with Collider: Step inside the world's greatest experiment to much critical acclaim. The exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes at CERN and explores the science and engineering behind the discovery of the Higgs Boson. The exhibition toured until early 2017.
• Media Space exhibitions also go on tour, notably Only in England which displays works by the photographers Tony Ray-Jones and Martin Parr.

The Science Museum organises Astronights, "all-night extravaganza with a scientific twist". Up to 380 children aged between 7 and 11, accompanied by adults, are invited to spend an evening performing fun "science based" activities and then spend the night sleeping in the museum galleries amongst the exhibits. In the morning, they're woken to breakfast and more science, watching a show before the end of the event.{{cite web |url=https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/see-and-do/astronights |title=Astronights |website=www.sciencemuseum.org.uk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102201256/https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/see-and-do/astronights |archive-date=2 January 2020}}

On the evening of the last Wednesday of every month (except December) the museum organises an adults only evening with up to 30 events, from lectures to silent discos. Previous Lates have seen conversations with the actress activist Lily Cole{{cite web |title=Impossible trees grow in the Science Museums |date=26 October 2013 |url=https://blog.sciencemuseum.org.uk/impossible-trees-grow-in-the-science-museum/ |access-date=10 March 2015 |archive-date=15 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315095604/https://blog.sciencemuseum.org.uk/impossible-trees-grow-in-the-science-museum/ |url-status=live }} and Biorevolutions with the Francis Crick Institute which attracted around 7000 people, mostly under the age of 35.{{cite web |date=27 February 2014 |title=Record-breaking attendance at Crick event | The Francis Crick Institute |url=http://www.crick.ac.uk/news/news-archive/2014/02/27/record-breaking-attendance-at-crick-event/ |access-date=10 March 2015 |publisher=Crick.ac.uk |archive-date=20 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140620005327/http://www.crick.ac.uk/news/news-archive/2014/02/27/record-breaking-attendance-at-crick-event/ |url-status=live }}

In October 2007, the Science Museum cancelled a talk by the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA, James D. Watson, because he claimed that IQ test results showed black people to have lower intelligence than white people. The decision was criticised by some scientists, including Richard Dawkins,{{cite news |last1=McKie |first1=Robin |last2=Harris |first2=Paul |date=21 October 2007 |title=Disgrace: How a giant of science was brought low |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2007/oct/21/race.research |access-date=29 September 2010 |archive-date=1 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130901012151/http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2007/oct/21/race.research |url-status=live }} but supported by other scientists, including Steven Rose.{{cite news |last=Rose |first=Steven |date=21 October 2007 |title=Watson's bad science |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/steven_rose/2007/10/watsons_bad_science.html |access-date=23 May 2010 |archive-date=12 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512023403/http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/steven_rose/2007/10/watsons_bad_science.html |url-status=live }}

The museum has undergone many changes in its history with older galleries being replaced by new ones.

• The Children's Gallery – 1931–1995 Located in the basement, it was replaced by the under fives area called The Garden.{{cite book |title=Science for the nation perspectives on the history of the Science Museum |date=2010 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |isbn=978-1-349-31119-4 |location=London |page=194}}
• Agriculture – 1951–2017 Located on the first floor, it looked at the history and future of farming in the 20th century. It featured model dioramas and object displays. It was replaced by Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries in 2019.{{Cite web |url=https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/what-was-on/agriculture |title=Agriculture |website=Science Museum |access-date=30 July 2021 |archive-date=3 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403164802/https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/what-was-on/agriculture |url-status=live }}
• Shipping – 1963–2012. Located on the second floor, its contents were 3D scanned and made available online. It was replaced by Information Age.{{Cite web |url=https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/what-was-on/shipping |title=Shipping |website=Science Museum |access-date=5 May 2020 |archive-date=3 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403170025/https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/what-was-on/shipping |url-status=live }}

File:4073 in Science Museum.jpg in the Land Transport gallery]]

• Land Transport – 1967–1996{{Cite web |url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/leisure/exhibitions/1773453.terrace-cuneo-national-railway-museum-york/ |title=Terrace Cuneo, National Railway Museum, York |website=York Press |date=19 October 2007 |access-date=30 July 2021 |archive-date=30 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730140556/https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/leisure/exhibitions/1773453.terrace-cuneo-national-railway-museum-york/ |url-status=live }} Located on the ground floor, it displayed vehicles and objects associated with transport on land, including rail and road. It was replaced by the Making the Modern World gallery in 2000.
• Glimpses of Medical History – 1981–2015 Located on the fourth floor, it contained reconstructions and dioramas of the history of practised medicine. It was not replaced, but subsumed into Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries which opened on the museum's first floor in November 2019.{{cite web |last1=Moorhead |first1=Joanna |date=25 October 2019 |title=A journey through medicine: the new galleries at the Science Museum |url=https://www.theguardian.com/breakthrough-science/2019/oct/25/a-journey-through-medicine-the-new-galleries-at-the-science-museum |access-date=22 November 2020 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=26 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226041324/https://www.theguardian.com/breakthrough-science/2019/oct/25/a-journey-through-medicine-the-new-galleries-at-the-science-museum |url-status=live }}
• Science and the Art of Medicine – 1981–2015 Located on the fifth floor, which featured exhibits of medical instruments and practices from ancient days and from many countries. It was not replaced, but subsumed into Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries which opened on the museum's first floor in November 2019.
• Launchpad – 1986–2015 Originally opening on the ground floor, in 1989 it moved to the first floor replacing Textiles. Then in 2000 to the basement of the newly built Wellcome Wing. In 2007, it moved to its final location on the third floor, replacing the George III gallery.{{cite web |last1=Wilson |first1=Anthony |title=Launch Pad |url=https://science-projects.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/ch2.pdf |access-date=24 October 2020 |website=Science Projects |archive-date=16 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416005852/https://science-projects.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/ch2.pdf |url-status=live }} It was replaced by Wonderlab in 2016.{{cite web |title=Launchpad through the ages. |url=https://blog.sciencemuseum.org.uk/launchpad-throughout-the-ages/ |access-date=24 October 2020 |website=Science Museum |date=26 October 2015 |publisher=Science Museum, London |archive-date=18 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118181640/https://blog.sciencemuseum.org.uk/launchpad-throughout-the-ages/ |url-status=live }}
• Challenge of Materials – 1997–2019{{Cite web |title=Challenge of Materials Gallery |date=18 August 2021 |url=https://www.wilkinsoneyre.com/projects/science-museum-challenge-of-materials-gallery |access-date=3 August 2021 |archive-date=16 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716182820/https://www.wilkinsoneyre.com/projects/science-museum-challenge-of-materials-gallery |url-status=dead }} Located on the first floor, explored the diversity and properties of materials. It was designed by WilkinsonEyre and featured an exhibit Materials House by Thomas Heatherwick.{{Cite web |url=https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co8637476/materials-house-sculpture |title=Materials House | Science Museum Group Collection |access-date=3 August 2021 |archive-date=3 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803082017/https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co8637476/materials-house-sculpture |url-status=live }}
• Cosmos and Culture – 2009–2017{{Cite web |url=https://www.culture24.org.uk/science-and-nature/art70581 |title=Cosmos and Culture opens astronomical show at Science Museum | Culture24 |access-date=30 July 2021 |archive-date=10 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310194748/https://www.culture24.org.uk/science-and-nature/art70581 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/what-was-on/cosmos-and-culture |title=Cosmos and Culture |website=Science Museum |access-date=30 July 2021 |archive-date=3 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403165200/https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/what-was-on/cosmos-and-culture |url-status=live }} Located on the first floor, it featured astronomical objects showing the study of the night sky. It was replaced by Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries in 2019.
• Atmosphere – 2010–2022.{{Cite web |date=2021-10-19 |title=New climate change gallery at the Science Museum |url=https://blog.sciencemuseum.org.uk/new-climate-change-gallery-at-the-science-museum/ |access-date=2024-04-08 |website=Science Museum Blog |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Atmosphere {{!}} Science Museum |url=https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/see-and-do/atmosphere |access-date=2024-04-08 |website=www.sciencemuseum.org.uk |language=en}} The Atmosphere gallery explored the science of climate.
• Engineer your Future – 2014–2023.{{Cite web |title=Engineer Your Future {{!}} Science Museum |url=https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/see-and-do/engineer-your-future |access-date=2024-04-08 |website=www.sciencemuseum.org.uk |language=en}} The Engineer your Future gallery explored whether you have the problem solving and team working skills to succeed in a career in engineering.
• The Secret Life of the Home – 1995–2024. The Secret Life of the Home showed the development of household appliances mostly from the late 19th and early 20th century, although some were earlier. This gallery closed permanently on 2 June 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/what-was-on/secret-life-home|title=The Secret Life of the Home | Science Museum|website=www.sciencemuseum.org.uk}}

Blythe House, 1979–2019, the museum's former storage facility in West Kensington, while not a gallery, it offered tours of the collections housed there.{{cite web |title=Blythe House – About us – Science Museum London |url=http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/ingenioustours |access-date=21 September 2011 |archive-date=6 September 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040906164833/http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/ingenioustours |url-status=live }} Objects formerly housed there are being transferred to the National Collections Centre, at the Science Museum Wroughton, in Wiltshire.{{cite web |title=Our collection |url=https://www.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/about-us/collection/ |access-date=11 February 2021 |website=Science Museum Group |archive-date=12 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812150441/https://www.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/about-us/collection/ |url-status=live }}

The Science Museum has a dedicated library, and until the 1960s was Britain's National Library for Science, Medicine and Technology. It holds runs of periodicals, early books and manuscripts, and is used by scholars worldwide. It was, for a number of years, run in conjunction with the library of Imperial College, but in 2007 the library was divided over two sites. Histories of science and biographies of scientists were kept at the Imperial College Library until February 2014 when the arrangement was terminated, the shelves were cleared and the books and journals shipped out, joining the rest of the collection, which includes original scientific works and archives at the National Collections Centre.

Dana Research Centre and Library previously an event space and cafe, reopened in its current form in 2015. Open to researchers and members of the public, it allows free access to almost 7,000 volumes, which can be consulted on site.

The Science Museum has been sponsored by major organisations including Shell, BP, Samsung and GlaxoSmithKline. Some have been controversial.{{Cite web |date=2021-02-26 |title=George Monbiot pulls out of climate change talk at Science Museum over fossil fuel sponsors |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/environment/george-monbiot-pulls-out-climate-talk-science-museum-over-fossil-fuel-sponsors-889293 |access-date=2021-04-25 |website=inews.co.uk |language=en |archive-date=25 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425152933/https://inews.co.uk/news/environment/george-monbiot-pulls-out-climate-talk-science-museum-over-fossil-fuel-sponsors-889293 |url-status=live }} The museum declined to give details of how much it receives from oil and gas sponsors.{{Cite web |date=1 Aug 2019 |title=Science Museum defends oil and gas sponsorship |url=https://www.ft.com/content/9aa5197c-b46c-11e9-bec9-fdcab53d6959 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/9aa5197c-b46c-11e9-bec9-fdcab53d6959 |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=2021-04-25 |website=www.ft.com}} Equinor is also the title sponsor of "Wonderlab: The Equinor Gallery", an exhibition for children, while BP is one of the funding partners of the museum's STEM Training Academy.{{Cite web |date=2021-02-23 |title=Oil sponsorship of the Science Museum |url=https://cultureunstained.org/oil-sponsorship-of-the-science-museum/ |access-date=2021-04-25 |website=Culture Unstained |language=en |archive-date=25 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425152934/https://cultureunstained.org/oil-sponsorship-of-the-science-museum/ |url-status=live }} Equinor's sponsorship of the Wonderlab exhibit was on the basis that the Science Museum would not make any statement to damage the oil firm's reputation.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-16 |title=Science Museum sponsorship deal with oil firm included gag clause |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/feb/16/science-museum-sponsorship-deal-with-oil-firm-included-gag-clause/ |access-date=2023-02-16 |website=The Guardian |language=en |archive-date=16 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216174546/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/feb/16/science-museum-sponsorship-deal-with-oil-firm-included-gag-clause |url-status=live }}

Shell has influenced how the museum presents climate change in its programme sponsored by the oil company.{{Cite web |date=2015-05-31 |title=Shell sought to influence direction of Science Museum climate programme |url=http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/may/31/shell-sought-influence-direction-science-museum-climate-programme |access-date=2021-04-25 |website=The Guardian |language=en |archive-date=27 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427153450/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/may/31/shell-sought-influence-direction-science-museum-climate-programme |url-status=live }} The museum has signed a gagging clause in its agreement with Shell not to "make any statement or issue any publicity or otherwise be involved in any conduct or matter that may reasonably be foreseen as discrediting or damaging the goodwill or reputation" of Shell.{{Cite web |date=2021-07-29 |title=Revealed: Science Museum signed gagging clause with exhibition sponsor Shell |url=https://www.channel4.com/news/revealed-science-museum-signed-gagging-clause-with-exhibition-sponsor-shell |access-date=2021-07-29 |website=Channel 4 News |language=en-GB |archive-date=29 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729231107/https://www.channel4.com/news/revealed-science-museum-signed-gagging-clause-with-exhibition-sponsor-shell |url-status=live }}

The museum signed a sponsorship contract with the Norwegian oil and gas company Equinor which contained a gagging clause, stating the museum would not say anything that could damage the fossil fuel company's reputation.{{Cite news |last=Crisp |first=Wil |date=2023-02-16 |title=Science Museum sponsorship deal with oil firm included gag clause |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/feb/16/science-museum-sponsorship-deal-with-oil-firm-included-gag-clause |access-date=2023-02-16 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=16 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216174546/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/feb/16/science-museum-sponsorship-deal-with-oil-firm-included-gag-clause |url-status=live }}

The museum's director, Ian Blatchford, defended the museum's sponsorship policy, saying: "Even if the Science Museum were lavishly publicly funded I would still want to have sponsorship from the oil companies."

Scientists for Global Responsibility called the museum's move "staggeringly out-of-step and irresponsible".{{Cite web |title=After staunch criticism, Science Museum defends oil company Shell's sponsorship of its climate exhibition |url=http://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/science-museum-climate-shell-sponsor |access-date=2021-04-25 |website=www.theartnewspaper.com |date=20 April 2021 |language=en |archive-date=27 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427023416/https://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/science-museum-climate-shell-sponsor |url-status=live }} Some presenters, including George Monbiot, pulled out of climate talks on finding they were sponsored by BP and the Norwegian oil company Equinor. Bob Ward of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment said the "carbon capture exhibition is not 'greenwash'".{{Cite web|date=2021-04-22|title=The Science Museum's carbon capture exhibition is not 'greenwash' {{!}} Letter|url=http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/apr/22/the-science-museum-carbon-capture-exhibition-is-not-greenwash|access-date=2021-04-25|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=25 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425153241/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/apr/22/the-science-museum-carbon-capture-exhibition-is-not-greenwash|url-status=live}}

There have been protests against the sponsorship; in May 2021, a group calling themselves 'Scientists for XR' (Extinction Rebellion) locked themselves to a mechanical tree inside the museum.{{Cite web |last1=Sagir |first1=Ceren |date=2021-05-19 |title=XR scientists lock themselves to a mechanical tree against a Science Museum exhibition sponsored by Shell |url=https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/xr-scientists-lock-themselves-to-a-mechanical-tree-against-a-science-museum-exhibition-sponsored-by-shell |access-date=2021-07-29 |website=Morning Star |language=en |archive-date=29 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729232048/https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/xr-scientists-lock-themselves-to-a-mechanical-tree-against-a-science-museum-exhibition-sponsored-by-shell |url-status=live }} The UK Student Climate Network carried out an overnight occupation in June 2021, and were threatened with arrest.{{Cite web |date=2021-06-19 |title=Students protest at Science Museum over sponsorship by Shell |url=http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/19/students-protest-at-science-museum-over-sponsorship-by-shell |access-date=2021-07-29 |website=The Guardian |language=en |archive-date=29 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729232105/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/19/students-protest-at-science-museum-over-sponsorship-by-shell |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Science Museum climate protesters criticise 'intimidating' response |url=https://www.museumsassociation.org/museums-journal/news/2021/06/science-museum-climate-protestors-criticise-heavy-handed-response/ |access-date=2021-07-29 |website=Museums Association |date=22 June 2021 |language=en-US |archive-date=29 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729232039/https://www.museumsassociation.org/museums-journal/news/2021/06/science-museum-climate-protestors-criticise-heavy-handed-response/ |url-status=live }} In August 2021, members of Extinction Rebellion held a protest inside and outside the museum with a {{cvt|12|ft}} pink dodo.{{Cite web |date=2021-08-29 |title=Extinction Rebellion activists glued to Science Museum site in Shell protest |url=http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/29/extinction-rebellion-protesters-science-museum-shell-sponsorship |access-date=2021-09-03 |website=The Guardian |language=en |archive-date=3 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903184357/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/29/extinction-rebellion-protesters-science-museum-shell-sponsorship |url-status=live }}

In 2021, Chris Rapley, a climate scientist, resigned from the museum's advisory board because of oil and gas company sponsorship.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}

In 2021, more than 40 senior academics and scientists said they would not work with the Science Museum due to its financial relationships with the fossil fuel industry.{{Cite web |date=2021-11-19 |title=Dozens of academics shun Science Museum over fossil fuel ties |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/nov/19/dozens-of-academics-shun-science-museum-over-fossil-fuel-ties |access-date=2022-07-15 |website=The Guardian |language=en |archive-date=15 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715134732/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/nov/19/dozens-of-academics-shun-science-museum-over-fossil-fuel-ties |url-status=live }}

In 2022, more than 400 teachers signed an open letter to the museum promising to boycott it following sponsorship of the museum's Energy Revolution exhibition by the coal mining company Adani.{{Cite web |date=2022-07-15 |title=Hundreds of teachers boycott Science Museum show over Adani sponsorship |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2022/jul/15/hundreds-of-teachers-boycott-science-museum-over-adani-sponsorship |access-date=2022-07-15 |website=The Guardian |language=en |archive-date=15 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715134732/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2022/jul/15/hundreds-of-teachers-boycott-science-museum-over-adani-sponsorship |url-status=live }}

The directors of the South Kensington Museum were:

• Henry Cole CB (1857–1873)
• Sir Philip Cunliffe-Owen KCB KCMG CIE (1873–1893)

The directors of the Science Museum have been:

• Major-General Edward R. Festing CB FRS (1893–1904)
• William I. Last (1904–1911)
• Sir Francis Grant Ogilvie CB (1911–1920)
• Colonel Sir Henry Lyons FRS (1920–1933){{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1J0eAQAAIAAJ&q=The%20rise%20of%20the%20Science%20Museum%20under%20Henry%20Lyons |isbn=9780901805195 |title=The Rise of the Science Museum Under Henry Lyons |year=1978 |publisher=Science Museum |access-date=21 March 2023 |archive-date=8 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708160731/https://books.google.com/books?id=1J0eAQAAIAAJ&q=The%20rise%20of%20the%20Science%20Museum%20under%20Henry%20Lyons |url-status=live }}
• Colonel E. E. B. Mackintosh DSO (1933–1945)
• Herman Shaw (1945–1950)
• F. Sherwood Taylor (1950–1956)
• Sir Terence Morrison-Scott DSc FMA (1956–1960)
• Sir David Follett FMA (1960–1973)
• Dame Margaret Weston DBE FMA (1973–1986)
• Neil Cossons OBE FSA FMA (1986–2000)
• Lindsay Sharp (2000–2002)

The following have been head/director of the Science Museum in London, not including its satellite museums:

• Jon Tucker{{cite web |date=23 April 2008 |title=Image of jon tucker, head of science museum, 2002. by Science & Society Picture Library |url=http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp?image=10328913 |access-date=10 March 2015 |publisher=Scienceandsociety.co.uk |archive-date=5 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105054007/http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp?image=10328913 |url-status=live }} (2002–2007, Head)
• Chris Rapley CBE (2007–2010)

The following have been directors of the National Museum of Science and Industry, (since April 2012 renamed the Science Museum Group) which oversees the Science Museum and other related museums, from 2002:

• Lindsay Sharp (2002–2005)
• Jon Tucker (2005–06, Acting Director)
• Martin Earwicker FREng (2006–2009)
• Molly Jackson (2009)
• Andrew Scott CBE (2009–10)
• Ian Blatchford (2010–)

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Science Museum, London}}

• {{official website}}
• [http://www.architecture.com/LibraryDrawingsAndPhotographs/Albertopolis/TheStoryOf/ScienceMuseum/ScienceMuseum.aspx Albertopolis: Science Museum] – architecture and history of the Science Museum
• [https://www.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/ sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk] (SMG) – a group of British museums that includes the Science Museum
• [http://blogs.nature.com/u6e5b2ce1/2011/02/21/mapping-the-worlds-science-museums Mapping the World's Science Museums from Nature Publishing Group's team blog] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902135211/http://blogs.nature.com/u6e5b2ce1/2011/02/21/mapping-the-worlds-science-museums |date=2 September 2011 }}

{{British Aviation Museums}}

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{{London museums}}

{{Authority control}}

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Category:Industry museums in England

Category:Musical instrument museums

Category:Medical museums in London

Category:Museums established in 1893

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Category:Science museums in London

Category:Steam museums in London

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Category:South Kensington

Category:1857 establishments in England

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Category:Science museums in England