Kids go wild for Cornwall’s new science lab

Teachers from local schools were invited to attend the launch, to explore the potential for their pupils to work with the University’s Biosciences and Geography experts in the new facility. Secondary schools are being encouraged to contact the University if they would like to get involved.

Nick Baker said: “It’s amazing to see how far the teaching facilities at the University have progressed since I was a student. It’s entirely in line with the University’s growing reputation, particularly for research.

“The outstanding teaching at the University helped to shape my career path, and I’m thrilled that today’s students are benefitting from that expertise in modern and inspirational surroundings. It’s a huge benefit to education in Cornwall, and I hope schools take up the offer to use it.”

The laboratory includes more than £100,000 worth of high-tech equipment, including 40 27-inch iMac screens and 70 iPads. It allows lecturers to interact directly with any of the work stations from a central point. The upgrade has been jointly enabled by the European Regional Development Fund Convergence Programme and the University of Exeter.

Professor Stuart Bearhop, who opened the lab alongside Nick Baker, said: “This facility is a great resource for our students, but we’re equally proud of the benefits it will bring to Cornish school children. We take our outreach responsibilities extremely seriously, and this is an excellent forum to engage children with science, and to inspire them to consider higher education.”

The laboratory is part of an ongoing investment into the Cornwall Campus, which is creating a legacy of innovative centres of research excellence which are building a global reputation on the Cornish coast.

Secondary school teachers who want their school to be involved in the outreach work can contact Claire Young on 01326 253596 or at claire.young@exeter.ac.uk.