The centre has interactive exhibits, reconstructed historical scenes, an observatory, a live-science theatre and family workshops.

It is next to Spike Island, a public park, located between the River Mersey and the Sankey Canal that has woodlands, wetlands, footpaths and industrial archaeological history.

[3] The town of Widnes was once the centre of the North West chemical manufacturing industry and has been heavily influenced by it for the last 170 years.

[4] Halton Borough Council, in collaboration with a number of chemical companies, decided to make the exhibition permanent.

[4] A glass lift and an enclosed glazed roof-top observation deck, designed by Austin-Smith:Lord,[7] were added to the building in 1989.

There are over 80 interactive exhibits, plus multi-media programs and re-constructed historical scenes bringing science, technology and engineering to life.

[9] In addition to static exhibitions and hands-on experiments, it contains a theatre which gives live science and technology presentations.

[10] The exhibits range from test tubes to a 20-ton cast iron caustic soda finishing vessel, laboratory equipment, and chemical samples.

[5] The centre is next to Spike Island, a park, with footpaths, cycle paths, the Sankey Canal, woodland, wetlands, views of the River Mersey, views of the Mersey Gateway Bridge, birdlife, fishing, industrial heritage, Widnes Dock, picnic tables, a multi-purpose sports pitch, a children's play area and the Trans Pennine Trail.

About 25% of the current annual total is accounted for by school classes for which Catalyst provides an education program that links directly to the National Curriculum.