The Ontario Science Centre in Canada had already instigated its 'Science Circus' which had travelled to a number of countries, including a visit to the Science Museum in London. It proved extremely popular but was still constrained by being an exhibition which required a museum or other venue in which to operate. What made Science Projects' idea different was the thought that it would be much more interesting to have the building travel with the exhibition as well.

Deciding to test out the theory, an Omni System tent was hired and some exhibits from the Exploratory in Bristol borrowed for an Open University open day in Milton Keynes in 1986. The result was a huge success and provided the impetus to take the next step.

With funding from grants, the rest of the year was spent progressing the plans for what would become the Discovery Dome. Exhibits were designed and developed with the help of students from Gwent College Design and Technology Department.

In February 1987 Science Projects was incorporated as a charitable company and moved into a small workshop in Chiswick, West London. The first handful of staff were employed and, with the Nuffield foundation looking after accounts and administration, manufacturing of the 50 or so exhibits required began in earnest.

A launch was planned for Easter 1988 with proving trials scheduled during 1987-88.

The Discovery Dome was an enormous success, attracting over 100,000 visitors in its first year. It led to teachers basing classroom projects on many of the topics covered and requests to borrow some of the exhibits.

From this interest, the idea of the 'Van Programme' arose (later to be named ScienceWorks). This consisted of a set of specially designed, curriculum-based exhibits available for hire to schools and started operation in 1989.