Official Opening of the Regional Science Centre Oldham

The official opening of Oldham’s unique and innovative Regional Science Centre, by former Oldham Sixth Form College Principal Nick Brown OBE, takes place today at 2pm.

The result of a pioneering partnership project between Oldham Sixth Form College and Oldham Council, this five storey facility is now the location for all the College’s science teaching. It houses 21 laboratories equipped with the latest technology alongside IT-based study areas and provides an outstanding learning environment for the 1000+ students who study science at Oldham Sixth Form every year.

Management and property consultants AA Projects undertook the lead designer, project management, cost consultancy, health and safety, building surveying, environmental consultancy and provided strategic advice for the new centre. Chris Thorpe, Director at AA Projects, said: “The Regional Science Centre Oldham provides cutting edge facilities that will inspire all young scientists in the region, from primary school pupils through to undergraduates. At AA Projects, we are very proud to have been involved in the delivery of the centre and are extremely excited about the opportunities it presents for scientific education and research within Greater Manchester.”

Working in partnership with schools, Further Education providers, universities and science agencies the Regional Science Centre aims to develop science skills by creating and maintaining interest in science education from an early age. As such, the state of the art facilities are also available to local primary and secondary school children. The first sessions, with Richmond Primary School and Royton & Crompton High School have already taken place and were a resounding success. In future it is anticipated that the Centre will also provide a location for undergraduates taking science courses at University Centre Oldham (part of the University of Huddersfield).

Coming back to officially open the building, Nick Brown commented: "The opening of the Science centre is the finest achievement of the Oldham partnership which, at the time, was judged the best in Europe. It is also another example of the way the Sixth Form College has repaid the town for its investment and courage in building the College twenty years ago."

The Centre now provides the perfect location for the series of inspirational lectures by eminent scientists, previously held elsewhere in the College. So far speakers have included Prof David Edwards, from Imperial College London, whose lecture was on the subject of Neonatal Medicine, Professor Marcus Du Sautoy from Oxford University, whose lecture was entitled The Number Mysteries and Dr Ian Devonshire, from Nottingham University who lectured on Neurology.
Other high profile visitors have included Sarah Teather MP, Minister of State for Children and Families, Baroness Sharp, a Liberal Democrat member of the House of Lords, Paul Walsh CEO of Diageo and Prof Derek Bell, formerly Head of Education at the Wellcome Trust.

This unique centre also features an exhibition space which is to be dedicated at the opening event to former Chair of Governors Gloria Oates OBE. Exhibits currently on show include a section of a McLaren Formula 1 Racing Car, parts of one of the final Nimrod aircraft and a mass spectrometer together with case studies of student work completed as part of their Nuffield placements in universities or industry.
Jim McMahon, Oldham Council Leader, said: "The Regional Science Centre Oldham is a first-class venue and I know that staff and students are already enjoying using these cutting-edge facilities."
"I am proud of our partnership with Oldham Sixth Form College because it has delivered an inspirational environment that will help to raise the aspirations of those young people who are striving to become the scientists, dentists and doctors of the future.
"Crucially, this centre also offers the chance for industry to get involved with ensuring that students are acquiring the important skills that are needed to grow their businesses - and to make the very best of their potential."

Alongside College Governors, staff and Headteachers from local schools the audience will include the Mayor and Mayoress of Oldham Cllr Richard Knowles and Valerie Knowles, Leader of Oldham Council Jim McMahon and representatives from companies including Astra Zeneca, Siemens, Diodes and Ferranti Technologies. Colleagues will be attending from the science departments of various local universities including Manchester, Salford and Huddersfield, from the Ogden Trust, the Royal Society of Chemistry and the British Science Association.

Jayne Clarke, College Principal, said “It has been wonderful to see the Regional Science Centre Oldham develop from an initial vision to the fantastic facility we have today, of which the entire Borough should be very proud. It’s essential that we’re able to meet the rising local and national demand for better skills in science and technology and the new centre will play a key role to this end – building on the College’s outstanding track record in supporting students to achieve excellent outcomes and to progress to university and employment.

It would not have been possible to have achieved this position without the longstanding successful partnership working between Oldham Council and the Sixth Form College and we now look forward to the opportunities this development is sure to provide for the area”.