BAFTA Award winning filmmaker and scientist officially opens Science Centre at Cheltenham College and unveils 3m wide interactive periodic table
21 Apr 2015
On Monday 13 April Cheltenham College welcomed members of the College community, dignitaries and contributors involved in the £2.5 million
refurbishment of the new Science Centre to a grand opening ceremony, marking the start of the Summer Term.
Guests had the chance to explore the facilities, observe pupil-led experiments and experience a short demonstration regarding the new 3m wide interactive periodic table, the largest interactive display unit of its kind in Europe. Following tours Dr Max Whitby gave a modest address, explaining a little about the landmark periodic table situated in the foyer of the Science Centre, before declaring the Science Centre officially open, much to the delight of all involved.
Over the last decade, Dr Whitby has worked in close partnership with Theodore Gray, prominent science author and co-founder of app development agency Touch Press, to develop a series of projects around science education, chemistry and particularly the periodic table of elements. This fruitful collaboration has led to the formation of RGB Research Ltd, a company dedicated to the creation of the world’s most beautiful periodic table displays – the Cheltenham College periodic table is clearly a fine example of this, displaying an array of artefacts relating to corresponding elements, along with an interactive touchscreen.
Dr Max Whitby commented: “It was an honour and a pleasure to open the new science centre at Cheltenham College. We are delighted to have created the periodic table that will welcome generations of students passing through this beautifully refurbished building. The spectacular display combines art with science, presenting the greatest organising principle of Chemistry and hopefully helping to inspire many future scientists.”
In just 9 weeks, Cheltenham College invested £2.5 million to completely transform the Science buildings both inside and out, installing cutting-edge, university standard facilities. Speaking at the launch event Ian Eggleton, Director of Building and Project Consultancy, Evans Jones, commented: “To completely refurbish the Science Centre in a 9 week period was certainly a challenge but the project team rose to this and, despite some setbacks along the way, we were open for business on the first day of term. To see the labs in use and to get such positive feedback from pupils and staff alike is very satisfying.”
John Jones, Head of Chemistry at Cheltenham College added: !“The refurbished laboratories will transform our pupils experience of practical science – they ensure that College can continue to put practical skills at the top of the science agenda.