Cambridge’s first hands-on science centre opens

Just in time for half term, the Cambridge Science Centre opens to the public today, Friday 08 February.

This interactive gallery space, which was officially opened yesterday by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, will be packed with exhibits and events for families, schools and tourists.

The Centre will help bring to life the great research from around the local area and give visitors a chance to interact directly with the scientific talent which has made Cambridge world-famous. The Centre will be located in central Cambridge at 18 Jesus Lane, a property generously made available by Jesus College, just a few minutes walk from public parking and major Cambridge tourist attractions.

Although not part of the University, the exhibition content was developed in collaboration with researchers from the University of Cambridge and the Cambridge Science Festival team. By working closely with local researchers and businesses, the Centre will ensure that a visit is always topical and fresh for both the first time visitor and those that come back again and again.

Professor Borysiewicz said: “Cambridge’s scientific discoveries past and present are known around the world, and this enterprising initiative, the Cambridge Science Centre, will help bring this to the local and visiting public in an exciting and relevant way. With its focus on family hands-on learning, this new Centre is a wonderful complement to the University’s own outreach activities. It will help inspire the next generation to get actively involved in the sciences.”

Open Tuesday through Sunday, the Centre will provide easy access to hands-on exhibitions appropriate for a wide range of audiences. The exhibits are approachable by those with no background knowledge in a scientific subject, and floor staff experienced in science communication will be on hand for those that want to find out more. Workshops will be engaging and creative whilst supporting key learning objectives for schools and families. For adults, there will be shows and talk series run in the evenings.

“The Cambridge Science Centre will provide truly memorable hands-on science experiences for all its visitors, young and old. I look forward to welcoming our first families to the Centre during the February schools half-term holidays,” said Chairman of the Cambridge Science Centre, Dr. David Cleevely CBE. “We are especially grateful to our Founding Sponsors, supporters and Jesus College who have helped us get the doors open, and provide a great experience at very accessible prices.”

Alongside exhibits developed in Cambridge and an eye-grabbing hands-on mechanical gear-wall from the Centre for Life in Newcastle, the Cambridge Science Centre will be hosting part of the touring exhibition “Inside DNA: A Genomic Revolution”.  Funded by The Wellcome Trust, the UK’s largest charity, the “Inside DNA: A Genomic Revolution” exhibition is the result of a partnership between the UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres (ASDC), and At-Bristol, a leading science centre in the UK, with scientific support from the world renowned Sanger Institute in Cambridge.

General Info about the Cambridge Science Centre:

The Cambridge Science Centre is a registered educational charity (No. 1146349) providing year round public access to hands-on science through public exhibitions, events and schools outreach. The aims of the charity are to: inspire visitors to learn more about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), to reach underserved communities with engaging hands-on activities, to help the public better understand current research, and to motivate people to apply scientific observation and reasoning in day-to-day life. The Centre is located in central Cambridge at 18 Jesus Lane, Cambridge, CB5 8BQ. The Centre is a member of the UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres. To find out more on programmes and events visit: www.cambridgesciencecentre.org or follow on Twitter (@camsciencecntr)

For additional information, please contact the Centre at: info@cambridgesciencecentre.org.