{{Short description|Educational visitor attraction in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}} {{Use British English|date=April 2026}}
{{Infobox venue | name = Magna | image = Magna Science Adventure Centre - geograph.org.uk - 2650127.jpg | image_size = 290 | caption = Exterior shot of Magna | fullname = Magna Science Adventure Centre | former_names = Templeborough Steelworks (1917–1993) | address = Magna, Sheffield Road, Rotherham, S60 1DX, England | coordinates = {{coord|53|25|09|N|1|23|13|W|region:GB_type:landmark|display=inline,title}} | renovated = April 2001 | owner = Magna Trust<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.visitmagna.co.uk/the-magna-mission/|title=The Magna Mission|website=visitmagna.co.uk|accessdate=16 April 2026}}</ref> | operator = Magna Trust | architect = WilkinsonEyre | website = {{url|visitmagna.co.uk}} | public_transit = {{rint|tram}} {{RouteBox|TT|South_Yorkshire_Supertram|#030303|white|bold=}}<br>Magna }}
'''Magna Science Adventure Centre''' is an educational visitor attraction set in a former steel mill, located in Rotherham, South Yorkshire.
==Location== The site used to be home to the Steel, Peech and Tozer steelworks (also known as Steelos). In 50 AD it was the site of the Templeborough Roman fort.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roman-britain.org/places/templeborough.htm |title=Minor Romano-British Settlement – Templeborough, Rotherham, South Yorkshire |accessdate=3 September 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081003122510/http://www.roman-britain.org/places/templeborough.htm |archivedate=3 October 2008 }}</ref> It is located next to the Dearne Valley line railway and is served by Magna station on the South Yorkshire Supertram network which opened on 9 April 2026.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lifts and bridge added as tram stop takes shape |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy7e058r1xyo |access-date=2 November 2025 |work=BBC News |date=24 October 2025}}</ref>
The principal exhibits are divided into four pavilions: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. There is also an outdoor Sci-Tek play area, and Aqua-Tek water play area.
The 1/3 mile long site is often used for staging events, conferences and performances. It won the Enjoy England Gold Award for Business Tourism in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.enjoyengland.ie/corporate/corporate-information/excellence-awards/gold-award-winners.aspx |title=Gold Award Winners by Category |accessdate=3 September 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071119095910/http://www.enjoyengland.ie/corporate/corporate-information/excellence-awards/gold-award-winners.aspx |archivedate=19 November 2007 }}</ref>
==Development== The development, funding and building process was led by Stephen Feber, who selected the design team, led by architects WilkinsonEyre and exhibition designers Event Communications. Tim Caulton directed exhibition development. Magna's exhibitions won the Best Exhibition category at the 2002 Design Week Awards.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eventcomm.com/Site2/magna.htm |title=Magna, Rotherham UK |accessdate=3 September 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509061845/http://www.eventcomm.com/Site2/magna.htm |archivedate=9 May 2008 }}</ref> The Centre won the 2001 RIBA Stirling Prize<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2001/oct/21/arts.featuresreview|title = Magna Centre wins top design award|date = 21 October 2001|accessdate=3 September 2008|work=The Guardian}}</ref> for its architects Wilkinson Eyre Architects, Mott MacDonald and Buro Happold's use of space in the old steelworks.
==''The Big Melt''== upright|thumb|The Big Melt 's new steel arc Furnace
Every hour, Magna holds a display called "The Big Melt". Its purpose is to demonstrate how steel was made in an electric arc furnace until the steelworks closed in 1993. A furnace is imitated with fog, spark, flame and smoke machines, loudspeakers, lights, and blasts of rapidly burning propane which are ignited at appropriate points in the show. The show can be repeated up to four times an hour, but, in practice, it is usually run once an hour or twice an hour if visitor numbers are very high.
==Real Ale Festival== Since 2011, the centre has been home to the annual Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival. The festival was previously held at Oakwood Technology College. Money raised from the festival is donated to local charities. In 2025 CAMRA's Great British Beer Festival Winter was held here.
==See also== * List of science centers#Europe
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category|Magna Science Adventure Centre}} *[http://www.visitmagna.co.uk/ Official website] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20081003122510/http://www.roman-britain.org/places/templeborough.htm Templeborough Roman Settlement]
{{Trans Pennine Trail}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Buildings and structures in Rotherham Category:Tourist attractions in Rotherham Category:Science museums in England Category:Museums in South Yorkshire Category:Industry museums in England