Discovering42

Discovering42 is a Community Interest Company (CIC) is setting up Cornwall's first science and sustainability museum. We want to challenge the misconceptions that art is frivolous, science is perplexing and environmental issues can be ignored. There isn’t a dedicated science museum in Cornwall, which makes it a costly visit for many and inaccessible for low-income families. We will bridge this gap and provide an affordable and valuable resource for our community. As we move into the colder months, there are very few options for enriching, Covid-safe indoor activities for families. Many solutions at the moment focus on virtual engagement, however, this is a challenging option particularly for young children that have a short attention span and can struggle with behaviour after extended screen time. We are looking to offer a safe venue that is designed from the ground up with Covid-safety in mind. We see the set-up process as important as the final exhibition, it is an opportunity to bring together our community and provide a positive outlet for the negative feelings associated with Covid. The exhibition will also provide a platform for local professional and emerging artists at a time where opportunities are few. We aim to be environmentally sustainable in how we approach the exhibition by considering the materials that we use for the exhibits. Working with local creative practitioners to transform found objects and waste materials into thought-provoking exhibits that demonstrate scientific principles through play. The Ocean Recovery Project have agreed to provide us with abandoned fishing nets and hundreds of bodyboards that are discarded each year on beaches throughout Cornwall. By combining environmental issues with art and science, we hope to engage audiences that usually might not be interested or concerned about waste or climate change.