Science Museum’s Lates

The Science Museum will be celebrating 150 years of the periodic table with a special Lates inspired by the UN’s International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements.

Elementary Lates is part of ChemFest, a festival of chemistry taking place across South Kensington in spring 2019. In a new free display at the Science Museum, visitors can discover the origin of Dmitri Mendeleev’s iconic periodic table, see Mendeleev’s first published periodic table from 1869 and study over 50 elements collected by Napoleon’s nephew, Prince Louis Lucien Bonaparte.

Learn how the chemicals in plants can be used in printing, discover the chemistry behind creating fireworks and find out which hit dominated the airwaves when different elements were discovered.

Discover the work of British chemist Henry Moseley, go carbon dating and learn about how the element helium was discovered by astronomer Sir Norman Lockyer in our blockbuster exhibition The Sun: Living With Our Star.

All this and much more, including the chance to go on a virtual journey that is out of this world in Space Descent VR with Tim Peake and get down at our famous intergalactic silent disco.

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The Lates Highlights:

The Cracking Chemistry show

Discover the wonderful world of chemistry in this explosive show. With experiments involving everything from party balloons to cake, we promise you’ll have a blast!

Carbon Dating

Everyone hopes they’ll find a lifelong soulmate, but with our carbon dating experience you’ll be able to find out the half-life of your relationship.

Mendeleev’s Suitcase

Journey back in time to 1869 and discover the work of Russian chemist and inventor Dmitri Ivanovich Mendeleev. Mendeleev conceived of a system to classify the elements at a time when only 60 or so chemical elements were known.

What’s in the box?

Discover the properties of the elements by looking, listening and interacting with this fun installation inspired by the periodic table.

The Chlorophyll printing process

Meet artist Almudena Romero and discover how you can print photographs directly onto leaves using green pigments found in the chlorophyll of plants.

For science, king and country

Henry Moseley was a promising British scientist killed in action in 1915. Science Museum curator Dr Liz Bruton will chart Moseley’s research which recast the periodic table into its modern form.

Elemental Jukebox

The periodic table is the result of years of research and discovery. Go on a musical journey with a scientific twist and listen to songs from the time and place elements where discovered.

Colourful chemistry

Discover the connection between the periodic table and the bold hues of fireworks in this colourful talk.

Silent Disco

Whether you’re practising your moves or just in the mood to slam dunk the funk, grab a headset, select your tunes and dance until you drop.

The Sun: Living With Our Star

Spectacular interactive experiences, unique artefacts and stunning imagery shed fresh light on humanity's relationship with our closest star in our blockbuster exhibition. Visitors can bask in sunlight on our indoor beach, discover how astronomer Sir Norman Lockyer discovered helium through studying the Sun and virtually try on a range of historic sunglasses. 50% off the usual ticket price.

Space Descent VR with Tim Peake

Embark on an out-of-this-world virtual reality mission and experience the thrill of being an astronaut. With Tim Peake as your guide, retrace the 400 km high-speed journey back to Earth from the International Space Station. 35% off the usual ticket price.