The Mayor and Mayoress of Poole with Trustees from EXplora Science
Poole’s innovative pop-up shop has been transformed into a science lab providing a fantastic opportunity for young children to get hands-on with science.
EXplora Science and Borough of Poole have joined forces to provide budding scientists with the opportunity to experience science in a fun and exciting way.
During half-term, visitors will be able to have a go at a range of interactive exhibits and take part in some great scientific experiments including making electrical energy and demonstrating hydro-electric power.
Councillor Peter Adams, Mayor of Poole, who tried out some of the activities, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for everyone to have a go at science, regardless of their abilities. The exhibits and experiments are not only fun, but interesting and thought provoking and I would encourage everyone to pop in during half term to have a go themselves.”
Councillor Xena Dion, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for a Prosperous and Sustainable Poole, Borough of Poole, said: “It’s great to see our pop-up shop being used in such an exciting way that benefits our younger people.
“The pop-up shop is a council led initiative to help kickstart new businesses by providing a high street venue to test the market for their product or offer. It’s proving to be a real hit with shoppers, start-up businesses and organisations such as EXplora Science and Arts University Bournemouth. We hope many more people contact us to see how they can take advantage of this opportunity to showcase their organisation.”
Before opening to the public on 16 February, the pop-up science lab was put to the test by approximately 300 pupils from local schools in Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Blandford. The pupils not only enjoyed their experience but were given the opportunity to share their ideas on how a new local Science should look.
EXplora Science are aiming to have a state of the art, interactive Science, Technology and Discovery Centre in South Dorset capable of inspiring, engaging and raising the confidence and ambition of young people. It is now approaching the government, businesses and supporters to raise £14 million to develop the new centre.
Caroline Galpin, EXplora Science Trustee “The PopUp Lab is just a part of our main project to set up a Science, Technology and Discovery Centre for Dorset. We have a vision to provide a state of the art educational and recreational STEM centre, bringing exciting science to the south coast. So far, we have had an overwhelmingly positive response from both schools and the public, showing the demand for this facility locally.”
The pop-up science lab will be open at 58 High Street, Poole from 9.30am to 5pm every day until Saturday 21 February. There is a £2 charge per person and all activities are suitable for people of all ages.
