In pictures: Cambridge Science Centre marks 10 years of inspiration
Hundreds of thousands of young learners have benefitted and many have been left with a love of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) thanks to Cambridge Science Centre.
Now the educational charity has celebrated 10 years of inspirational work. An informal evening of cocktails, canapés and fun was held at The Lab bar on Regent Street in Cambridge, on Wednesday, March 29, to reflect on the achievements, including outreach to half a million young people, including those in some of the most underprivileged communities in the region.
CEO John Bull described the party as a “fabulous event”, adding: “It was attended by our supporters and our friends who’ve been part of this journey for the past 10 years and those that want to be part of it moving forward.
“It was an atmosphere of celebration, really, and I think one of the absolute highlights for me was when we were able to have two young people who are part of one of our rolling STEM engagement clubs from the local area come and talk about the impact that that’s made on their lives, and that really lit the room up. It was nice to see the impact that that’s had on them.”
Cambridge Science Centre was founded by Dr Chris Lennard and Dr Katia Smith-Litiere. The pair then approached serial entrepreneur Dr David Cleevely, who remains chair of the centre, and other potential supporters in Cambridge and pitched an idea of “mobile exhibits and outreach experiences for young people”.
John said: “David always talks about how it was the first feasible idea he’d heard for a hands-on science centre in this region, because instead of committing to a large physical presence, it focused much more on getting out directly to where young people were.”
The celebrations will continue. “Later this summer we’ll be celebrating with staff past and present, some of whom have been with the organisation for the entire 10 years, and we’ll be reflecting on the many locations and activities that we’ve done,” said John.
“The Science Centre over those years has been present at Jesus Lane, it’s had a venue on Clifton Road and of course many outreach venues in the past, so we’ll be trawling the archives of historic photos to remember some of those times.”
John thanked the centre’s many supporters over the past decade, noting that they wouldn’t have reached as many young people as they have without them. And he revealed that there will also be celebratory activities for the public to get involved in, at pop-up venues as well, over the course of the year, including sessions for the under-fives at The Grafton centre.
On the centre’s future plans, he said: “Our immediate plans are to continue with this innovative model of outreach and taking the centre into the heart of communities. So right now we’re in The Grafton centre and the Grand Arcade.
“The Grafton centre is particularly interesting, working with toddlers and their parents to engage them in science-based play, and we’ll be taking that model of our hands-on exhibits, workshops and shows out to the wider Cambridgeshire region, to connect with communities both here in Cambridge and further afield.”
Congratalutions to all at Cambridge Science Centre – a past winner of STEM Initiative of the Year at the Cambridge Independent Science and Technology Awards – on the milestone.
[Read more: In pictures: Bringing STEM fun to Cambridge shopping centres]
Visit cambridgesciencecentre.org.
