Birmingham Museums has launched its new seasonal programme of events and activities which aims to spark joy throughout the coming months.

Visitors to Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum, can discover the joy of learning about science at a special celebration of women and girls in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) on Saturday 8 February.

Among the activities on offer is an exciting DNA workshop where participants will extract DNA from fruit, with a spotlight on Rosalind Franklin's crucial role in the discovery of DNA’s structure. All activities for Women and Girls in STEM day are included in the Thinktank admission price.

Another highlight of this seasonal programme is the opportunity to join award-winning artist Curtis Holder at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery for The Joy of Drawing on 20 February. This hands-on, live drawing session is suitable for all ages and abilities and easels, boards, paper and pencils will be provided.

Holder’s solo exhibition currently on display, Curtis Holder: Drawing Carlos Acosta at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, brings together the working drawings and portraits he created before winning the Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year competition in 2020, including his commissioned portrait of Carlos Acosta, director of Birmingham Royal Ballet.

For those who would like to experience how one of Birmingham’s oldest and historically most significant buildings might have looked on a dark night 400 years ago, Blakesley Hall by Candlelight will see the grade II listed building bathed in the warm glow of LED candles.

Guided tours of the building will reveal Tudor secrets and superstitions surrounding the night. Pre-booking for this event is essential.

Meanwhile on 22 February, visitors can immerse themselves in the beauty of nature when Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, in partnership with Birmingham Light Festival, is holding a special late night viewing of the world famous Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition.

Featuring exceptional images that capture fascinating animal behaviour and spectacular species, the exhibition showcases the breathtaking diversity of the natural world.

This late opening will include the opportunity to learn more about the nocturnal creatures in the photographs and get hands-on with some of the museum’s taxidermy collections.

Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum, will be celebrating all things in nature as part of this year’s British Science Week theme of Change and Adapt on 15 March. The day’s activities will include a ‘moss safari’ – a fascinating microscopic journey to explore the resilient, diverse organisms that thrive in this challenging habitat.

On 5 April there is the chance to spend an afternoon with the artist Arpita Shah at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery to discuss the making of her series Modern Muse which explores the shifting identities and representations of South Asian women in contemporary Britain.

Shah will discuss the inspiration, collaboration and making of the series, sharing a unique insight into research images and her earlier works that connect to themes of South Asian female identity.

Thinktank will be joining in Earth Day - the annual global event dedicated to raising awareness of the various environmental challenges that face our planet - on 22 April with an outdoor performance by the incredible Autin Dance Theatre Company.

Out of the Deep Blue is a moving tale about our earth's climate emergency told through dance, movement and masterful puppeteering. This outdoor spectacle features a 13 foot tall sea giant puppet called Eko and five world class performers.

Thinktank’s friendly team will also be on hand to give visitors the chance to get up close with its ‘Under The Sea’ handling collection, take part in an Ichthyosaur ‘make and take’ activity and expert-led climate tours, highlighting objects in the museum that tell the story of our changing planet.

The ‘joy’ seasonal programme runs until 30 April 2025. A full list of upcoming events is available on the Birmingham Museums website.