EDP24
February 8, 2006
Inspire by name, inspire by nature - that was the verdict of stars and schoolchildren who witnessed the opening of a unique centre in Norfolk that will bring the wonder of science to thousands of youngsters.
Less than a year after it was threatened with closure due to lack of funds, the Inspire Discovery Centre in Norwich has reopened with a major facelift including new exhibits and travelling displays.
And on hand to relaunch it were the man behind TV science hit show Brainiac and
former Norfolk schoolboy Jon Tickle and Norwich City defender Jason Shackell.
The centre, which features hands-on displays to demonstrate various aspects of science, has been saved by a windfall of £180,000, thanks to a lottery grant, matched funding from Norwich City Council and awards from private companies including Archant, which publishes the EDP.
Mr Tickle said: “I've never been to anywhere else like it before - the only thing I can compare it to is the Science Museum in London. It's magnificent.
“For all the money that the Government throws at luring people into science degrees, the battle by then is already lost - we need to get to children to show them it is fun and as much full of awe and beauty as a work of art or a Shakespeare play.”
Mr Shackell said: “I wasn't brilliant at science but if I'd have had something like this instead of just classroom-based lessons, things might have been different.”
Young fan Charlie Hooper, eight, from Avenue First School, said: “I like it because it is amusing. There are lots of activities and it's fun.”
Inspire Discovery Centre is open 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday, and 11am to 5pm at weekends. Call 01603 612612 or visit
http://www.inspirediscoverycentre.com
