The Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria, Mrs Claire Hensman, officially launched the new science centre at Hunter Hall School in Penrith on Thursday 19th September with a bang (literally).
The staff and pupils of the independent school welcomed over 150 guests as they celebrated the launch of the centre, with entertainment from Professor Pumpernickel and a showcase of experiments from the Year 6 pupils. As Mrs Hensman officially opened the centre, a pyrotechnic display punctuated the air and a shower of confetti rained down on the children- much to their delight!
The school were also thrilled to welcome Kayleigh Daniels, REACT Engineering’s Foundation Trustee as guest speaker at the event. She helped inspire the schools’ future scientists (and their parents) citing the discoveries of local Cumbrian scientists such as John Dalton who discovered the atom and demonstrated that there are no boundaries to what the children could go on to discover in their future careers.
Going forward, the school will use the Science Centre to teach S.T.E.M subjects with a focus on science. Head Teacher Donna Vinsome is very much hoping in time to extend invitations to other primary schools in the area who may want to come and share science events hosted by the school, thereby inspiring the next generation of scientists, as it does with its sports events at present, inspiring the next generation of athletes.
She commented: “We are really excited to have our science centre fully kitted out and up and running ready for the new term. We would like the new science centre to be a resource for us and for other schools to come and learn with us, make connections and give children in the Eden area the opportunity to ignite their imaginations and inspire a love of science at an early age.”
The science centre was built ahead of schedule after huge efforts by the Hunter Hall community, with kind donations from parents, friends, local businesses, and tireless fundraising from pupils and the school’s parents’ group, meaning that the centre is now fully kitted out with microscopes, Bunsen burners, lab coats and other such science paraphernalia.
For further information on the science centre in particular and the school in general, visit www.hunterhall.co.uk. Alternatively, you can visit in person: Hunter Hall is hosting an open day on Friday 4 October for any parents and children who may want to view the centre and are interested in the education on offer at the school.