Winchester Science Centre

Winchester Science Centre (previously known as INTECH) is a hands-on, interactive, science and technology centre located in Morn Hill, just outside the city of Winchester in Hampshire, England.[1] Opened in 2002 after major grants from amongst others the Millennium Commission,[2][3] IBM, SEEDA and Hampshire County Council it replaced an existing facility in a more functional building in Winchester.[4]

The centre houses over 100 activities, all of which link in with the National Curriculum for schools. During term time it is used mainly by local schools and days out, while at week ends and holidays it attracts a wider audience.


[5] The dome is now a state-of-the-art digital planetarium seating 176.

Description

Winchester Science Centre offers a main exhibition area with 100 hands-on science exhibits, each of which has a curriculum linked sign on-site and a reference sheet available from the website. In addition Winchester Science Centre features a digital planetarium that offers a full-dome experience and a variety of live daily shows suitable both children and adults. The centre also offers school visits by their new mobile planetarium with shows that are both engaging and relevant to the curriculum.

The on-site education team offer a variety of tailored workshops for primary and secondary level students within the Winchester Science Centre classrooms and out-reach is also offered. Workshops include 'Data logging', 'Parts of a flower', 'Electrical Conductors' and 'Explore your universe' as well as many other options. Winchester Science Centre are also proud to offer workshops for CAD/CAM in partnership with Techsoft.

The one-site workshop team make and maintain the majority of the exhibits and also are contracted by other science centres and schools to make bespoke pieces, such as the recently designed 'Stem-Cell Volcano'.

Winchester Science Centre is the Contract Holder for STEMNET in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. As Contract Holder, the Science Centre brokers relationships with over 700 trained STEM Ambassadors each of whom volunteer their time for free to secondary schools in the area. The Science Centre also offers educational advice to teachers.

The "After Dark", Space and Science Lectures are a popular addition to the programme and are tailored towards adults.

As well as all of this Winchester Science Centre also runs Singles Events and the venue is available to hire for private or corporate functions.

The Science Centre also has an on-site cafe facility.

References

  1. ↑ Details of International Conference
  2. ↑ Local Council Funding Details
  3. ↑ "INTECH 2000". Millennium Commission. Retrieved 2008-02-24.
  4. ↑ Previous site in Romsey Road
  5. ↑ http://www.inspiredcommunity.co.uk/blog/intech-science-centre%E2%80%99s-hands-approach-works-kids

Coordinates: 51°03′35″N 1°15′56″W / 51.05983°N 1.26544°W / 51.05983; -1.26544

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