WINCHESTER Science Centre has rebranded its educational charity and released its seven year strategy based on what world children would like to see.
The science venue in Morn Hill rallied together its Young Steering Group for a launch with live science demonstrations and speeches from the CEO Ben Ward and charity patron and Springwatch presenter Megan McCubbin before a planetarium show.
The independent educational charity behind Winchester Science Centre was renamed ‘Wonderseekers’ ahead of the 2030 strategy “for people for planet” which aims to create a more equitable world where children can treasure science and protect the earth.
The Young Steering Group, made up of 20 science enthused children aged six to 12 years old, helped to shape the seven year plan and created their own signs for the launch to show visitors what changes they want to see.
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Young steerer Rumaysa, 12, said: “I really love the environment, I’ve been litter picking since I was six years old.
“The centre is planning make a nature reserve out the back and we got to put all our ideas down on a massive sheet of paper. I came up with a slide like a penguin and a swing so people can fly like a bird. I think us kids bring out that more creative side and it’s amazing to know that my ideas are being heard.”
Wonderseekers patron Megan McCubbin joined the team in April. The zoologist recalled visiting the centre, formerly known as Intec, as a child. She said: “Coming to places like this when I was young was so influential and they still are. To see Winchester Science Centre evolve to Wonderseekers is a brilliant opportunity to get more young people heard and I’m really proud to be involved. Young people have a critical role and their voices really matter.”
Wonderful to attend @WinSciCentre for the launch of Wonderseekers and its strategy for 2030 🧑🚀👩🔬🌍
— Adele Bouchard (@adele_bouchard) March 1, 2023
Watch the video to hear a snippet from their charity patron @MeganMcCubbin pic.twitter.com/cR9tFEnw6U
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The educational attraction was also promoting its wider work and outreach programmes with places such as schools and coastal areas. Employee Jenny Hoppe said: “We’re taking our work to communities who would otherwise struggle to get to us and don’t have much access or ambition for science.
“The centre is fantastic and brilliant that people can visit but there are lot of people who can’t. Wonderseekers is so much more than the science centre, it’s inviting people to engage in science in their own space and in ways that suit them. There are lots of teachers who struggle with science and we’re here to inspire them on how to teach it. It’s very important that we’re not just an entity.”
Objectives within the seven year strategy include combatting inequality in science by diversifying the charity’s reach, championing equality, diversity and inclusion, working long-term with children who need support the most and protecting and healing the planet while inspiring others to do the same.
For more go to winchestersciencecentre.org/. Click through the gallery at the top of the page to see more images from the event.
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