New Centre Will Bring Science to Life for Schoolchildren

11th March 2005

Thousands of schoolchildren will gain a better understanding of science and the world around them thanks to a new development at the Wilton International site on Teesside.

The Wilton International Information Centre, opened today by Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, Britain’s greatest ever paralympian, will act as a starting point for organised visits to the site by schoolchildren and others.

The centre, designed by students from Cleveland College of Art and Design, contains static displays with easy to understand information on the chemical, engineering and power industries on the multi-company site, plus a number of more interactive features. These include computer related tasks and practical chemical, power and engineering exercises and experiments designed to fit the national curriculum.

All the major site companies have contributed to the cost of the centre and also participate in Children Challenging Industry, an initiative established jointly by the Chemical Industries Association and York University, aimed at making science more interesting to youngsters.

Felix O’Hare, of Uniqema, the site director in charge of the project, said: “We’re delighted to have got this important imitative off the ground. We believe it is important that people understand why we’re here, what we do and what difference the products we make mean to their everyday lives.

“We have worked very closely with educationalists to ensure that the activities here closely meet the requirements of the national curriculum.”

The major companies involved are Huntsman, Sembcorp Utilities UK, Uniqema, INVISTA, Dow and ADVANSA (formerly DuPontSA). Other supporting companies include pxlimited, BOC, TTE Management and Technical Training, The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) Aker Kvaerner, Hertel and the Industry and Nature Conservation Association (INCA).

Guests at the opening included, Mike Lancaster of the Chemical Industries Association and several Redcar and Cleveland Council local ward councillors as well as community representatives from the site liaison panels at Lazenby, Grangetown and Dormanstown. Children from Wilton Primary School also attended and were the first to use some of the equipment at the facility.

Dame Tanni, who lives in Redcar and helped by advising on access for the disabled, said: “Coming back today and seeing the full facilities up and running and the range of information available has been impressive. However, the highlight for me has been the expressions on the faces of the children as they got to grips with the equipment in the interactive area.”