Discover the science of the sea this summer at the National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool

Become a ship-building pioneer, create a map entirely from bricks and get hands-on with coding robots this summer at the National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool, with exciting events for young visitors through the holidays.

Dive into the science of the sea, with a drop-in workshop giving visitors the chance to create their own ocean in a test tube, while learning all about magnification and buoyancy. After learning about the science of the sea visitors can return to unlock a world of creative coding and robot fun with EdTech start-up Sniff + Snails. Create code to make a robot paint on a giant canvas, program a picture to light up and move, and invent an idea to win a special prize. There is also a special goodie bag for visitors to take home.

Other events will let visitors get hands-on, designing ships, building nautical maps and handle real animals. First visitors can create their own section of a nautical map built entirely from bricks. Create anything from a desert island with hidden treasure to a giant sea monster. Visitors can make good use of the treasure trove of bricks and the master builders from Bricks McGee. Then discover the stories of maritime pioneers and Hartlepool’s rich ship-building history, getting inspired to create a ship from a variety of materials to take home after the activity. Get the chance to see whether it floats or sinks under the pressure.

Finally dive beneath the waves and team up with Zoolab and get up close and personal with exotic animals such as snakes, tarantulas, scorpions, giant snails and lizards. Millipede-like species were among the earliest animals to transition from sea to land millions of years ago. Visitors will also learn about common stowaway species found onboard Royal Navy ships, such as cockroaches and rodents, represented here by a friendly gerbil.

The National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool is home to the historic ship HMS Trincomalee, and the surrounding recreated Georgian Quay. Once visitors have had their fun with summer events they can explore the shops of the Quay, learn more about maritime archaeology, and climb aboard HMS Trincomalee discovering life onboard.  Also available is Horrible Histories® Pirates: The Exhibition, which takes buccaneers of all ages on an epic adventure across the seven seas with hands-on displays and interactive exhibits. For those who want to take advantage of the weather there’s also an outdoor playground in the shadow of Trincomalee. Best of all, all events are free with a valid museum ticket, and tickets last for 12 months.

Simon Walsh, Operations Manager at the National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool said “With five great events running throughout August we hope there’s something for everyone this summer. Whether visitors are interested in STEM, want to get creative or are just looking to have fun.”

These events are run in collaboration with Amazelab, Zoolab, Sniff + Snails and Bricks McGee. STEM events are brought to visitors by the National Museum of the Royal Navy’s STEM programme, sponsored by Airbus, Newton, Serco and Fujitsu.

Listings

Pioneers of the Ocean, 10am to 5pm, Monday 4th August 2025, National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool 

This August set sail for the National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool and learn about the importance of our oceans and seas with Amazelab. Enjoy one of the museum’s drop-in workshops where visitors can create their own ocean in a test tube, find out more about magnification and buoyancy, and discover what happens when an oil spill occurs. Don't forget to take part in the ocean colouring activity too. This event is free with a valid museum ticket. 

Wonders of the Sea, 10am to 5pm, Wednesday 6th August 2025, The National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool 

This summer, get ready to dive beneath the waves as the museum teams up with Zoolab to find out more about the amazing animals who consider the sea, or the ships that sailed on them, their home.  They will be talking all about the oceans and the many wonders within the aquatic world below them, after all, all life on earth comes from the ocean. Visitors will also get the chance to get up close and hands-on with exotic animals such as snakes, tarantulas, scorpions, giant snails, millipedes, cockroaches, lizards and gerbils. This event is free with a valid museum ticket. 

Ship Building Pioneers, 10am to 5pm, Monday 11th August 2025, National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool 

Join Amazelab for an event highlighting Hartlepool’s rich maritime history. Discover tales of maritime pioneers and of shipbuilding in Hartlepool. Then take on the challenge of designing a building a ship from a variety of materials to test and take home. Visitors will get the chance to see whether their creation will float or sink under the pressure. This event is free with a valid museum ticket. 

Creative Coding, 10am to 5pm, Monday 18th August 2025, National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool

Unlock a world of creative coding and robot fun with EdTech start-up Sniff + Snails who will be joining the museum for a day of family activities. Get ready to take on three creative coding challenges. First up, learn how to create code that will make a robot paint on a giant art canvas.  Next up, is finding out how to program a picture to light up and move. Finally, visitors can use AI or their own imagination to invent an idea that will enter them into a competition to win a Sniff and Snails Craft + Code Kit! 

Visitors who complete all three activities will also receive a Sniff + Snails goodie bag to take home. This event is beginner friendly, and no coding experience is required. The recommended age for this is event is 7+. This event is free with a valid museum ticket. 

Magnificent Map-Making, 10am to 5pm, Thursday 28th and Friday 29th August 2025,  National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool

This event will have visitors creating their own section of a giant nautical map built entirely from bricks. Whether it’s a desert island with hidden treasure, a giant sea monster, or some fearless sailors voyaging across the blue depths is completely up to visitors. Visitors are encouraged to make good use of the treasure trove of bricks, and the master builders from Bricks McGee, to make their mark on this giant nautical map. This event is free with a valid museum ticket. 

To purchase a ticket to the museum please visit: https://www.nmrn.org.uk/buy-tickets/hartlepool