Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research, and Innovation, Keith Azzopardi Tanti, has launched Esplora Interactive Science Centre’s Programme for 2026. This comprehensive programme not only celebrates ten years since the centre’s inception but also presents an ambitious vision that strengthens STEAM education, biodiversity awareness, and inclusive learning within Maltese society.

Parliamentary Secretary Keith Azzopardi Tanti emphasised​ Esplora’s fundamental role in developing future skills. He stated, “Esplora plays an important role in helping young people understand how research and innovation shape the world. Initiatives included in the Programme foster early skills in critical thinking, experimentation, and problem-solving, which are essential for Malta’s future workforce and research ecosystem.”

The Programme introduces five new immersive exhibitions: Science on a Sphere, the Rube Goldberg Machine, Air Fountain, a live bee colony focusing on biodiversity, and the interactive gallery Musicon. These exhibitions are designed to make complex scientific concepts more accessible to the public through hands-on and creative experiences. Furthermore, Esplora will be leading the development of Malta’s first National STEAM Strategy, supported by a newly established national Taskforce.

Esplora’s Senior Director, Mary Ann Cauchi, explained that the programme reflects the centre’s evolution toward interdisciplinarity. “The Programme for 2026 reflects Esplora’s evolution from STEM to STEAM, where science and technology are enhanced through creativity, design, and storytelling. By incorporating transversal skills, we are enabling students of all ages to think critically and collaborate effectively.”

Another significant initiative within this programme is the launch of a national research project for youths aged between 13 and 17, which will offer funding and mentorship for supervised projects. Simultaneously, Esplora will continue to invest in inclusion through multi-sensory initiatives and sessions tailored to the needs of neurodiverse visitors, ensuring the centre is truly open to everyone.

Throughout the year, the public will benefit from a calendar full of activities, including monthly Open Days, XjenzaAnzjan sessions, and specialised educational programmes for schools. With this programme, Esplora is looking toward the coming decade with a clear direction that places sustainability and scientific education at the heart of the community.

As Esplora marks ten years since its opening, this anniversary year serves not as a retrospective celebration, but as a platform for renewal and ambition, strengthening Esplora’s role in promoting STEAM, biodiversity, and inclusive learning while setting a clear path for the decade to follow.

For more information, one may visit www.esplora.org.mt.