George Freeman welcomes Norfolk School Science Kit Club’s 100th kit
27th April 2012
Mid Norfolk MP, George Freeman, Government Adviser on the ‘Life Sciences’ in which Norfolk’s Research Park is such a strong centre, visited the Teacher Scientist Network’s (TSN) Kit Club, based at the John Innes Centre, to see the huge range of practical and learning equipment available to help schools inspire and teach children about science.
The TSN Kit Club was established twelve years ago in response to teachers’ need for resources to support practical, hands-on science. Dr Phil Smith MBE Coordinator of the Teacher Scientist Network explained to George that the club has grown enormously and now offers support to over 200 Norfolk schools and has recently produced its 100th kit.
George said, “The Kit Club is a fantastic facility to have on the doorstep and I am pleased that so many schools use it. The expansion of the Norwich Research Park, the Hethel Engineering Centre and many Norfolk businesses engaged in the science sector will bring new and much needed jobs in Norfolk. We must encourage our students to choose science subjects for GCSE and A Level so that Norfolk’s school leavers have the skills and enthusiasm for science to take up these jobs. The Kit Club is vital for showing students that science is fascinating and fun. Norfolk’s science and research is a powerful engine for the creation of new businesses and jobs locally, and has a key role to play if we are going to grow our local economy and help drive a sustainable economic recovery in the UK. We need to inspire and support a new generation of Norfolk school children to take an interest in science.”
Dr Phil Smith said, “We strongly believe that there is need for more Kit Clubs around the country to support practical science and we are keen to replicate our Norwich model, in one or more regions of Norfolk, Kings Lynn and Great Yarmouth for example. The hands-on approach to science makes learning fun and memorable for students of all ages. By making these resources easily available to teachers we hope schools will give their students the opportunity to ‘learn by doing’ and to gain all-important hands-on skills and understanding of the scientific process.”
http://www.tsn.org.uk/KitClub.htm
