The moving section of the centre

"They can play the part of the surgeon, nurse or anaesthetist and find out how the medics keep people alive.

"There is a fun approach, it debunks and demystifies science but not in a pompous way, there's 200 different interactive exhibits.

"It will engage people in the big scientific issues like GM food or technology in health care and their views will be fed back in to the debate to inform that debate."

Historical exhibits go back to the age of steam, visitors will be able to see the oldest working steam engine built in 1779.

'City asset'

As well as areas dedicated to aircraft, the car and trains visitors will get a taste of the latest technology of the internet and can hook up to a video being shot by astronauts and cosmonauts on board the international space station.

"This will provide a massive impetus to the redevelopment of the east side of Birmingham, it will be a huge part of the new Birmingham and a great asset," said Mr Dernie.

The centre had been joint funded with �50m from the Millennium Commission and �25.6m from the European Regional Development Fund.

But chief executive of Think Tank, Jonathan Bryant, is confident the centre will not suffer the same problems as the Dome.

"My worry about the Dome is that it didn't start from its contents, it started with a great building and thought about what to put in it afterwards.

"We've built upon the fascinating story about how science changes our lives in the past and in the future and packed it in here."