The Dome interactive theatre is the centrepiece of the exhibition. Photo Centre for Life

A new £3m exhibition exploring the diversity of human life has opened at Newcastle’s Centre for Life.

Our World was unveiled on April 8 2006 and uses interactive displays, imaginative exhibits and a state-of-the-art theatre to demonstrate the versatility of humans, how we survive and how we cope with extreme climates and habitats.

Linda Conlon, director of the Centre for Life, said: “From building igloos in the arctic and riding a rickshaw in New Delhi, to searching for grubs in the desert, visitors will be able to experience some of the most diverse and challenging places on Earth and see how different environments mean different lifestyles for both humans and animals today.”

Visitors can step inside a rickshaw, try on Inuit clothing or search for water in the desert. Photo Centre for Life

The exhibition includes authentic artefacts like traditional Inuit coats, cloaks and veils worn in the Sahara desert and Aboriginal digging sticks. Visitors can dress up in Arctic clothing, hunt for water in the desert and explore the sounds and smells from cities all over the world.

“For 18 months a small team at the Centre for Life has worked with over 100 consultants, contractors and expert advisors to design, develop and build the exhibition,” explained Andy Lloyd, Our World project manager.

“We’ve consulted with experts from around the world, from Alaska to Australia, and we’ve also received help from the universities and businesses in our own region.”

The new exhibition is part of the Centre's £4.5m refurbishment programme. Photo Centre for Life

Our World’s centrepiece is The Dome, a 65-seater theatre with a 165-degree overhead screen that shows Lifeseeker, an interactive 20-minute show.

During Lifeseeker, visitors take on the role of researchers, embarking on a fact finding mission around the world – by making decisions through the touch pads built into each seat the audience decides what happens in the show.

The Centre for Life has welcomed more than 1.25 million visitors since opening in May 2000. Our World is the first part of the centre’s £4.5m refurbishment programme.