The Dana Centre

The Dana Centre is very cute not what I expected at all. What I expected was a lecture theatre or hall or stage or something more formal. Instead, there was d. café and a load of chairs, with some temporary staging for the speakers to sit on. It was very relaxed and informal, with people supping glasses of wine and positively taunting me with their chips (I resisted getting some go me).

I came here to attend the «This is Your Brain on Technology» event. I have surprisingly never been here even though I live about 10 min from Museum row. The centre is hidden down Queens Gate which is the other street which borders the Natural History Museum. The interior is moderns and minimalistic. There is a bar downstairs which was service some tasty looking burgers and sandwiches. They also serve muffins, coffee, brownies wine and beer.
The event itself was a bit disappointing. It felt as though I was participating in research without signing away my consent. There was brief introduction with the speakers. They were an Oxford research assistant who was studying the effects on Facebook on our social lives. There was another researcher who was interested in deciphering the process that people go through when they search for information online. Lastly, there was an artist who had a special machine that she could hook up to your frontal lobe and check out your brain activity.
The group was split into three smaller groups and the speakers went to their different stations to being their talks. Only their talks seems to be more of directions for participating in a research experiment. I must have missed the «you’ll be a guinea pig» part of the introduction or the event description for that matter.
The Facebook speaker had us fill out this 5 page questionnaire. We then had to log onto Facebook and download his application which shows you a map of your friend connection. (This reminds me, I still need to delete that application.) It was mildly interesting to see that most of my FB friends are people from college or from high school. But I kind of knew that before I went into the session. After you ran the application, the task was over. I was kind of hoping that more would be said regarding FB and actual friends. But no. Our speaker collected our questionnaires and told us to move on to the next speaker.
The next speaker more or less had us do much of the same. We had to register with the BBC. (I tried to use a fake email address but you apparently have to confirm your profile using the link in your email. Damn it!) We then answered another short questionnaire and then began to play a series of games. We also had to answer a few questions about how we would search for certain information using a search engine. At the end, you found out how savvy you were (n’t) on the internets. I’m apparently an ostrich. I’ve yet to figure out if that is a good or bad thing.
Finally we come to the brain scan artist. I note that she never explained how she uses these brain scans to make art work but I guess it really doesn’t matter at the end of the day. The hooked her machine up to the first guys and the scan showing the left side of his brain went crazy with activity while the right side seemed to be taking a nap. He asked her what this means but she didn’t seem to have a clue. I like to think it means he’s a genius. But then again he could also be retarded. She hooked up a few more people to her machine but it all became a little boring as she really couldn’t explain what the activity really means.
Overall, this was an alright way to spend an otherwise cold and rainy Monday. I wish however that the speakers had a fer more answers and didn’t make me feel like a guinea pig. I would however go back to another event at the Dana Centre as it is a cool venue and I would to see what else it has to offer.

In a society that is rooted firmly in a recession, the idea of something being ‘Free’ brings both joy and skepticism. Many of the theatrical shows at the Science Museum Dana centre are indeed ‘Free.’ Here comes the sceptic in me. ‘Well if it is free they have to be awful, low budget, tacky productions. How wrong was I?
I came across a show called ‘The Devils Doctor.’ The story revolves around a famous alchemist named Paracelsus and his pursuit of changing the world of medicine. Interested enough I decided to venture to South Kensington to watch the show. Although all the tickets had been allocated I was assured although not promised that going on the waiting list would secure me tickets. Indeed on arrival I was granted entry. The waiting area is a beautifully spacious and contemporary café selling beer, wine and tasty looking cakes. Before I had chance to indulge we were waved into the theatre. I recommend grabbing seats in the first two rows as the layout of the chairs is not tiered. This means those in the middle to back rows will struggle to see the performance as there is no stage.
Before the performance began, a regular visitor of the centre whispered to a companion ‘Be ready for anything. You never know what to expect here.’ I got a surge of excitement hearing this.
The three man production did not disappoint. The show was funny, interactive and thought provoking. I am a big fan of London’s fringe theatre, as fringe directors seem more willing to push the boundaries of thought and societal norm than the West End. If you are looking for glitzy light shows and stunning set design, this is not the place. The Dana centre theatre is small, but this helped me feel immersed within the spectacle and heightened my enjoyment of the performance.
The centre being part of the Science Museum often holds talks and interactive exhibitions that demonstrates science at its dynamic best. As one of their slogans state «No two days are the same.»
I will definitely be attending the Dana centre again.

Located on Queens Gate next to the Natural History Museum, the Dana Centre has many interesting science events for adults, often in the evenings, although there is often a small charge (well worth it!)
There is a small café as well as a bar available inside the centre.

The Dana Centre is a great alterantive to the traditional way in which Science is presented. It is right next to the Science Museum in South Kensington and hosts a variety of presentations and debates on science related topics sucha as the search for Extra-​terrestial life.
The main room is quite a long narrow space with screens at either end and a bar/​café in the middle. I went to one event here which included an evening meal. Overall a refreshing change as far as science educaton and engagement with the public goes.

A wonderful facility attached to the side of the Natural History museum, where science-​related events are hosted. I’ve chaired events there a couple of times, and they are great fun. There is a small canteen and bar, but the main attraction is the educational programme. Book early.

Attached to the Science Museum in South Kensington, the Dana Centre runs a programme of adult-​oriented evening talks and events to make all sorts of science topics interesting and accessible, especially to the non-​scientist like me. Nearly all events are free, and their monthly programmes are themed. Many presentations are witty and humorous, some inter-​active or hands-​on, all are thought-​provoking. A great resource — get their monthly email bulletins for early booking as some of the most intriguing go quickly — I’m still trying to get in for the Northern Lights evening!
Also has a small café which offers a small menu of good food but (before the talks at least, might be different during the day?) has no tables to eat at, you have eat on your knees. Useful for the hungry but not if you want a proper meal out environment.

The dana centre is on queens gate with a yellow sign, quite close to Natural history museum. It regularly hosts science related events, some of which are free. One time they had a experiment with a funfair outside out back. Good for the science inspired types, remember to book the event before going!