Catalyst Science Discovery Centre (SDC) and Museum inspires young people, offers educational opportunities to a range of audiences, supports wellbeing, and is a unique community hub.  It is the only SDC in the UK that explores the science and technology behind the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors and its impact on our lives past, present and future.

Our Mission is “Inform, educate and inspire the widest audience about the relevance of chemistry, through our unique offerings and hands-on experiences; our rich industrial heritage archives; and our strong links to the local area”.  We have the vision to be a premier visitor attraction, recognised as the best Science Discovery Centre dedicated to chemistry and as a unique Museum of the chemical heritage of NW England.

We provide inspiring and educational STEM related workshops, talks and activities for a wide range of audiences including schools, unformed groups, and the general public.  We run temporary exhibitions on a wide range of topics.  Through all of this work we seek to inspire the young scientists/chemicals engineers/technicians of tomorrow, provide science education, and raising the scientific capital/understanding of the public in general.  We see this as vital as the world deals with a range of global challenges e.g. health pandemics, climate change, etc.  In addition, we are a community hub for the local community with a variety of offerings including mental health related workshops in conjunction with MIND and a dementia cafe.

We also seek to showcase the important scientific heritage of the NW of England - our museum holds vast archives of the chemical industry.  We share this heritage through galleries, exhibitions and heritage talks, and have ambitions to enhance this element of our work.

Catalyst is actively seeking a new Chair of Trustees.