Pictured above: Dr Glenn Crocker, Dr Ian Barr and Nikin
Patel with Jade Armstrong (10), Chair of the Dovecote Primary Lab
13 Committee
The future of a unique science learning project for primary
pupils at a Nottinghamshire school is secure thanks to a
sponsorship pledge by four leading bioscience businesses.
Lab_13 at Dovecote Primary School, Clifton in Nottingham was
facing an uncertain future before a team from BioCity Nottingham
visited in August and responded to the call for help. BioCity
together with companies R5 Pharmaceuticals, Molecular Profiles and
Healthcare and Bioscience iNet will contribute over £10,000
to help the pupil-run laboratory to continue inspiring junior
scientists, and to build a link to leading science research
resources.
Launched in April 2009, Dovecote Primary Lab_13 was the first of
its kind in the UK and received initial funding as part of the
emda-funded Ingition* programme. It is a dedicated science space in
the school managed by the pupils who carry out their own
experiments outside the curriculum in free school time and during
the holidays. The original management team of 12 pupils from years
5 and 6 (aged 9, 10 and 11) selected their own roles and worked
together over 15 months to develop the project. They even created
the job description for their part-time scientist in residence,
interviewed and selected the person they liked. The scientist
helped to run the lab and supervised pupils aged 3 to 11 with
experiments such as 'rainbow fizz', elephant toothpaste, growing
cress in tights, and even sheep heart dissection.However, the
Ignition* funding has now run out meaning that the lab would have
to close unless the school could find further finance.
"I really do think it's good that BioCity have decided to
support us," says Jade Armstrong aged 10, Lab_13 Chair. "It means a
lot because with that money we can re-open the lab with a new
scientist in residence. Children love the lab so it will mean a lot
to our school as they can now go back in and do experiments. People
keep coming up and asking when Lab_13 is going to open."
Dr Glenn Crocker, CEO of BioCity Nottingham visited Dovecote
School Lab_13 in August and was bowled-over by the project: "I was
really struck by the pupils' enthusiasm for scientific discovery
and it seemed crazy that such a great initiative was in jeopardy
for what is a relatively small amount of money in the whole scheme
of things. It's great that the local businesses stepped straight up
to help without any hesitation."
Andy Jenkins, head teacher at Dovecote School added: "Lab_13 is
a fantastic addition to the school. It is a pupil run space which
enables the children to be creative, explore and have fun with
science. This financial support from Bio City will allow this work
to continue. The children are very excited about the lab reopening
soon."
The Healthcare and Bioscience iNet is funded by the East
Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the European Regional
Development Fund (ERDF).
For more information about BioCity Nottingham, please visit
their website here: www.biocity.co.uk
'Ignition*' is an inspiring region-wide programme of activities,
competitions and workshops that engage young people - both in and
out of school - to encourage creative thinking skills in relation
to STEM subjects.