That being the case, it makes perfect sense for London’s Science Museum to partner with CBS on a Star Trek Warp Trail. Stopping short of calling itself an exhibition, this find-it-yourself trail features props, costumes and objects from across the franchise as part of the celebrations for Star Trek at 60.

There are eight stopping-off points in the much-loved South Kensington venue. Some of these have just one item, others feature two or three or more. You can see original screen-worn costumes, for example, as well as insignia badges, energy-storage devices, medical equipment, communicators and – perhaps inevitably – a pop-up merch shop…

Naturally, the latter is populated with products from the great and good of licensing: Vanilla Underground, Running Press, Titan Books, Insight Editions, Metal Earth, Hornby and many others. There’s something to suit every budget, but there’re other reasons to visit the pop-up shop… First, you can find a couple more artefacts there! Second, this location gives you the chance to sit in a replica of the command chair from the bridge of the USS Discovery.

With all that said, where the Star Trek Warp Trail really comes into its own is the thinking behind the objects on display – and their placement in the museum! Where better, for example, than in the Engineers section to find the head of what appears to be Data, the android from Star Trek: The Next Generation? Illustrating the increasingly relevant concept of artificial intelligence, this screen-used prop is actually the head of the prototype-Data android, B-4.

For consistency, each exhibit is shown with the same layout: the rarely seen object is inside a glass case adorned by two plaques. The first explains the real-world science behind the fiction. The second then gives a little detail about the the prop and what it represents. Happily, situating the various objects throughout the museum means it’s quite easy to get distracted – and fascinated – by the innumerable non-fiction artefacts around you.

All in all, Star Trek Warp Trail is a pretty good way of capturing the attention of any fan and reminding them how much science and technology drive the franchise. As Dr. Glyn Morgan, Head of Collections and Principal Curator at the Science Museum, puts it: “Star Trek has invited audiences to be curious explorers for decades. That’s a mission we know something about at the Science Museum…”

Morgan continues: “As a cultural phenomenon, Star Trek, has played a real role in changing the world of STEM… From inspiring technical innovations to encouraging a generation of modern astronauts. I hope this Star Trek at 60 programme at the Science Museum inspires visitors to consider what might be possible if you boldly go where no one has gone before.”

Star Trek Warp Trail runs until September 2026. There’s also an opportunity to see all 13 Star Trek feature films in the Science Museum’s IMAX theatre. Not back-to-back, though… That would be insane! For more details, visit the museum website here.

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Licensing with them allowed us to combine our expertise in sourcing and packaging natural history products with their authority in science education. The result is a range that feels both authentic and educational, but still works as a strong retail gift product.

Absolutely – and how did you find the design and development process with The Science Museum?
The process was very collaborative. Our team brought experience in product development, sourcing minerals and fossils, and designing packaging that works in retail environments. The Science Museum team helped ensure the products reflected real scientific learning and their brand values.

We focused on creating a range that felt hands-on and discovery based. The range includes products such as a Fossil Dig Kit, Break Your Own Geode Kit, Crystal Growing Kit and a Mineral Discovery Kit, all designed around genuine geological specimens. The design direction was kept clean and educational to reflect the museum brand, while still being colourful and engaging enough to work in a gift shop environment.

You exhibited the range at the Spring Fair. What was the reaction like?
The reaction at Spring Fair was extremely positive. Retailers are always looking for products that feel a bit different from standard gift lines, and natural history products have a strong sense of curiosity and discovery around them. The kits such as the Geode Break Kit and Fossil Dig Kit in particular attracted a lot of attention because they give the customer a small ‘science experiment’ experience at home.

They work particularly well as gifts because they combine three things… They contain real natural specimens, they have an educational story and they are visually interesting and interactive. That combination makes them appealing to both children and adults, which is quite unusual in the gift sector.

The products come with STEM credentials. What features have you included to make sure they deliver in this regard?We made sure the products genuinely support STEM learning rather than simply using the label. The kits include real specimens together with clear, simple information about geology, fossil formation and mineral structures. A good example is the Break Your Own Geode Kit, where the customer opens a natural geode to reveal crystals inside that have never been seen before. That moment of discovery is what really brings the science to life. The aim is to spark curiosity and encourage people to learn a little more about the natural world through a hands-on experience.

Thinking about gift and toy retailers, can you tell us how your products fit into these sectors and how retailers can successfully add them to their offering?
Our products sit very nicely between the gift and toy sectors. They are impulse gift items in terms of price and presentation, but they also have an educational and discovery element that appeals to toy and hobby retailers.

Retailers tend to do best when they display the products together as a small themed section – for example a science discovery display featuring fossils, geodes and crystal kits. The visual impact of real rocks and fossils attracts attention very quickly and encourages customers to pick them up and explore them.

Returning to licensing, has the Science Museum experience encouraged you to look at more licensing opportunities?
Yes, it has been a very positive experience. Licensing can work extremely well when there is a genuine connection between the brand and the products. In our case, natural history, science and education are already central to what we do, so working with institutions like the Science Museum makes a lot of sense. Going forward we would certainly consider other partnerships where there is a strong natural fit.

How do you market your products to consumers?
Our primary focus is still the gift trade, so we market mainly to retailers through trade fairs, catalogues and our sales team. That said, social media is becoming increasingly important for showing the products in action. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok are very visual – and rocks, crystals and fossils are naturally interesting to look at. Short videos showing geodes opening, crystal growing experiments or fossil discoveries tend to attract a lot of attention online and help drive consumer interest into shops.

Beyond the Science Museum, are there other new product launches for 2026 that you can tell us about?
We have a number of new launches planned for 2026 including new mineral gift products, gemstone items and expanded discovery ranges. Typically we are working 12 to 18 months ahead on product development. That allows time for sourcing specimens from around the world, designing packaging and testing the products in retail environments. Working with natural materials adds an interesting challenge because every fossil or mineral specimen is slightly different.

Finally, thinking about the world of fossils, is there a particular person that has inspired your love of the subject over the years?
Mary Anning is probably the most famous inspiration in the world of fossils. Her discoveries along the Jurassic Coast helped transform our understanding of prehistoric life, and she did this largely through curiosity, persistence and careful observation. What stands out about her story is that she helped change scientific thinking through determination and passion, which is exactly the sense of discovery we try to capture in our products.

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The Materials Science range introduces children to the scientific principles behind everyday substances through a variety of interactive toys. Key concepts explored include non-Newtonian fluids, polymers, gravity and chromism – all communicated through slime kits, putties, crystal growing kits and bouncy ball making kits.

All products in the range carry the Science Museum Group’s STEM badge. Products are developed in collaboration with the Group’s licensing team to ensure they align with its educational values and high standards for science communication.

The Materials Science range is stocked in Menkind and independent retailers.

“We’re proud to be launching the new Materials Science range with Funtime Gifts,” said Amy Harbour, Head of Licensing and Commercial Partnerships at the Science Museum.

“This collection brings core science concepts to life through products that children can touch, stretch, bounce and explore. It perfectly captures the spirit of the STEM badge – encouraging scientific thinking through fun, interactive play.”

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