Aberdeen Science Centre is expanding its virtual reality (VR) offering with a new workshop and birthday party experience. 

The launch of VR experiences at the centre in 2025 allowed visitors to explore new digital worlds, encounter dinosaurs, travel through time and even shrink to journey inside the human body. 

Following the success of the VR headsets, the centre is now broadening its use of the technology, supported by funding from Mermaid Subsea Services UK and ETZ Ltd. 

Last year, Aberdeen Science Centre made nearly 40 ClassVR headsets available at the centre and community events, engaging more than 6,500 children and families from across the North-east of Scotland and beyond.  

Funding helped introduce the technology to the centre’s diverse programmes and ensured staff were fully trained to use it effectively. 

Renewed support from Mermaid Subsea and ETZ Ltd will allow Aberdeen Science Centre to enhance its VR offering and introduce four new VR experiences throughout the year focusing on exploring ocean life, journeying through different animals’ habitats, discovering more about famous historic moments and learning about geography and geology. 

Alongside this, a new VR birthday party experience will launch in April, giving groups of children the chance to explore the wonders of space as part of their celebrations. 

Two new school workshops will also be created, launching in August for the start of the new school year, that will allow pupils visiting the centre to navigate the solar system and investigate the different kinds of energy in our communities. 

Steph McCann, head of fundraising at Aberdeen Science Centre, said: 
“We are proud to launch the second year of our VR experience at Aberdeen Science Centre, as we grow the digital offering for our visitors. Last year, the VR headsets greatly enhanced learning and discovery both at the centre and in community settings, letting visitors explore the ocean, travel to the moon and encounter creatures from the distant past. 

“In 2026, we will enhance our VR experience, along with new activities and workshops, and offer VR as an option for birthday parties. We are incredibly grateful to Mermaid Subsea Services UK and ETZ Ltd for their support, which allows us to expand our VR programme and continue creating fun, memorable experiences for children and families.” 

Scott Cormack, regional director UK and Europe at Mermaid Subsea, said:
“We have seen first-hand the engagement and enthusiasm for the VR programme, so when the chance came to support the initiative for a second year, we were more than happy to do so. These headsets are a major asset for Aberdeen Science Centre, ensuring that young people and families across the region can enjoy educational benefit of powerful immersive technology.  

“At Mermaid, we believe in long-term investment in education, innovation and skills, and we’re proud to play an ongoing role in helping inspire curiosity, creativity and future careers in STEM in the North-east.” 

Lauren Braidwood, senior skills manager at ETZ Ltd, said:
“We are delighted to continue supporting Aberdeen Science Centre to deliver accessible and engaging STEM activities to the North-east. The wonderful team and resources at the Aberdeen Science Centre are vitally important in inspiring our next generation of scientists and engineers, and it’s exciting to see their reach and offerings expanding, especially at this critical point in the region's energy transition.” 

Funding will also be used to update and refresh both the hardware and software used by the VR headsets. 

To book a visit to the centre or find out more about corporate opportunities, visit https://aberdeensciencecentre.org/ 

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: Aberdeen Science Centre   l   KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: ETZ    l    Mermaid Subsea