The science behind sexuality

Why do we fancy the people we do? How do we define ourselves? Are we monogamous? What do animals mate with? Enjoy speed dating with a twist, hold a 3D-printed heart developed by experts from King’s College London, and join a discussion about how smartphones are revolutionising how we meet and mate.

Plus all the regular highlights of live music, the Punk Science comedy show and the best silent disco in town on Wednesday 24 February, 18.45 – 22.00.

Have Your Say: Future of dating

What is the future of dating? As technology advances so will the ways in which we date.

Come and meet our Live Illustrators Caroline Chapple and Laura Sorvala and explore what you think the future of dating might look like through illustrations.

Speed Dating with a Twist

This could be your chance to meet your ultimate play date, play childhood classics as you get to know each other. There’s also a free drink thrown in for all daters.

Limited numbers, buy tickets early to avoid disappointment. Charge £15. Tickets can be purchased from the main ticket desk on the ground floor.

The Compatibility Gene

In The Compatibility Gene, Prof. Daniel M Davis tells the story of the crucial genes that define our relationships, our health and our individuality. 'An elegantly written, unexpectedly gripping account' Bill Bryson, Guardian Books of the Year.

The Campaign Against Sex Robots

What does it mean to be free or in a relationship? Do robots symbolise our detachment from others? Campaign director Dr Kathleen Richardson explores issues of freedom, the human need for control and how sex robots could be dangerous and encourage inequalities in society.

FutureSex

Does technology change love, sex & relationships? The invention of latex in 1920 popularised condoms, heralding the sexual revolution. Now smartphones are revolutionising how we meet and mate. And what’s next, asks Herb Enmarch-Williams, robot love?

Pregnant Man

Should men be allowed to have babies? Join our Pregnant Man drama character as he explains his decision to carry a child. Would this be a leap forward for equality or a step too far for science?

Santino

Jacek Ludwig Scarso’s works investigate shifting perceptions of masculinity. In Santino, he explores a range of images of the male inspired by sacred art: a surreal story of an everyman turned saint, whose body is a sacred symbol and an object of voyeurism.

From the works Male Subject / Male Object by artist Jacek Ludwig Scarso

L’Entraineur

In this piece, Jacek Ludwig Scarso sets up a bizarre depiction of machismo. As our central character impersonates different roles – a motivational speaker, a fighter, a swimming coach – questions of what it means to be a “real man” are raised in a playful pastiche of testosterone.

Swinging Swimmers

Catch four barbershop vocalists as they jog around the Museum in swimwear – they may just start to serenade you… Jacek Ludwig Scarso’s live installation features The Old Telephone Exchange quartet in a cheeky exploration of sport and seduction.

Penis Drawing

Come and contribute to our wall celebrating our beautiful bodies – fancy yourself as a penis painter or a vagina virtuoso – testes your skills and show us what you got.

Wall of Confessions

Tell everyone your deepest Valentine secrets, fantasies and more in the form of this mostly anonymous wall of confessions.

Made in Chingford: Beautiful British Condoms

By 1970, London Rubber was the world’s biggest condom manufacturer. Reusable sheaths were discontinued, cervical caps had slipped, and the latex condom was king. Join Jessica Borge (Birkbeck College) for an illustrated journey to a forgotten Empire.

Places limited to 100 visitors. Access through Time and Measurement.

How to Mend a Broken Heart

Every broken heart is unique. For surgeons planning their repair, 3D-printed models of their patients’ problem hearts are invaluable. Come and hold a 3D-printed heart, find out how it helped and meet the King's College London experts behind the work.

AphroSEEDiac
Find out what foods can put you in the mood and see whether you can grow your libido by planting an aphrodisiac. Dirty and delicious!

Whose Penis is it Anyway?

Explore the weird and wonderful world of animal genitals with I, Science. Test your knowledge and rank penises in size order or decide whose bits are the most bizarre.

Life without Sex

Some animals have given up sex altogether. Join scientists from Imperial College London to discover the weird and wonderful world of bdelloid rotifers, tiny animals that gave up sex 50 million years ago yet take up DNA from bacteria to help them adapt.

STI Mythbusters

Do men get more sexually transmitted infections (STIs) than women? When was the condom invented? Can you get the same STI twice? Test your STI knowledge, play games, answer our anonymous sexual behaviour survey, and learn about how sexual behaviours affect patterns of disease.