Centre for Life
Encyclopedia
The Centre for Life is a science centre located in the city centre
of Newcastle upon Tyne
, England
. It is an educational charity which aims to promote greater interest and engagement in science as well as supporting scientific research. The complex contains an exhibition space, medical clinics, research laboratories used by Newcastle University, offices and lab space for biotechnology companies and a conference centre. It also contains "The Dome" planetarium
.
The complex encloses Times Square, where several entertainment venues and bars are found, as well as ample space for outdoor events. Times Square is located close to Newcastle Central railway station.
a big screen is installed to display televised matches. The square is often used for promotional purposes by various companies and corporations, for example the Qashqai Urban Challenge in 2007 and the BBC Blast! tour. Times Square accommodates the marquee for the cabaret show The Ladyboys of Bangkok every September.
In March 2009 it was the main venue for the UK's first Maker Faire
, run as part of the Newcastle ScienceFest
. The 2010 Newcastle Maker Faire was held at the Centre for Life and the nearby Discovery Museum.
in 2000 and offers an annual programme of exhibitions, lectures, workshops and family events with over 200,000 visitors every year.
The Science Centre's permanent exhibition focuses on different aspects of human life; its origins, adaptation to extreme environments, as well as some of the challenges humanity may face in the future. Every summer a major temporary exhibition is hosted, usually a touring exhibition such as "Myths and Monsters" from the Natural History Museum
, or "Grossology". The Doctor Who exhibition
which visited in 2010 is another example. During the winter months, smaller scale exhibitions are hosted, either on loan from other museums or created in-house.
As well as the exhibitions, The Science Centre contains shows throughout the year. The "Life Theatre" hosts live science demonstrations linked to the main exhibition, and "The Dome" is unique in the North-East of England, for its 360° domed ceiling and immersive projections. The shows are created and presented in-house, with many of the staff holding science-related degrees, some even to Ph.D.
level.
Workshops aimed at specific levels from Key Stage 1
to Key Stage 4
are offered to tie in with various aspects of the national curriculum, while the Centre also teaches the practical component of an MSc
in Genetics
at the Institute of Human Genetics. School groups who visit the Centre for a lab or workshop are also able to enter the exhibition at a discounted rate.
As well as workshops on-site, the Centre for Life also operates an Outreach Programme. Scientists from the Centre visit schools who do not otherwise have access to laboratories or science equipment, often in impoverished or extremely rural areas.
A variety of educational activities are also open to the public. There is a monthly "Science Club" for children aged 8–14, and a free lecture series aimed at adults.
, later moving to the Centre for Life and officially opened by Professor Lord Robert Winston
on 22 February 2000. As well as treating infertile couples, it carries out research and development into new fertility treatments.
Scientists based at The Centre for Life are the first people in Europe
- and only the second in the world - to get a license for stem cell
research on human embryos. The license will allow work on new treatments for conditions including diabetes, Alzheimer's disease
and Parkinson's disease
.
Newcastle upon Tyne City Centre
Newcastle City Centre, is the central business district of Newcastle upon Tyne, England.The area may be divided into the areas of Haymarket, Quayside, Central Station, Grainger Town, Monument, Chinatown and Gallowgate.-Haymarket:...
of Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It is an educational charity which aims to promote greater interest and engagement in science as well as supporting scientific research. The complex contains an exhibition space, medical clinics, research laboratories used by Newcastle University, offices and lab space for biotechnology companies and a conference centre. It also contains "The Dome" planetarium
Planetarium
A planetarium is a theatre built primarily for presenting educational and entertaining shows about astronomy and the night sky, or for training in celestial navigation...
.
Location
Uses
The variety of events attract many tourists as well as local people. In the winter months, Times Square is host to an open-air ice rink and during major sporting events such as The Football World CupFIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
a big screen is installed to display televised matches. The square is often used for promotional purposes by various companies and corporations, for example the Qashqai Urban Challenge in 2007 and the BBC Blast! tour. Times Square accommodates the marquee for the cabaret show The Ladyboys of Bangkok every September.
In March 2009 it was the main venue for the UK's first Maker Faire
Maker Faire
Maker Faire is an event created by Make magazine to "celebrate arts, crafts, engineering, science projects and the Do-It-Yourself mindset".-Past events:The first was held April 22 – 23, 2006, at the San Mateo Fairgrounds...
, run as part of the Newcastle ScienceFest
Newcastle ScienceFest
Newcastle ScienceFest is a 10 day celebration of creativity and innovation at venues across NewcastleGateshead, with the principal aim of increasing the North East’s enthusiasm for science and encouraging young people to consider a career in this area....
. The 2010 Newcastle Maker Faire was held at the Centre for Life and the nearby Discovery Museum.
Exhibition
The Centre was officially opened by The QueenElizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
in 2000 and offers an annual programme of exhibitions, lectures, workshops and family events with over 200,000 visitors every year.
The Science Centre's permanent exhibition focuses on different aspects of human life; its origins, adaptation to extreme environments, as well as some of the challenges humanity may face in the future. Every summer a major temporary exhibition is hosted, usually a touring exhibition such as "Myths and Monsters" from the Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is one of three large museums on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, England . Its main frontage is on Cromwell Road...
, or "Grossology". The Doctor Who exhibition
Doctor Who exhibitions
Since Doctor Who was first broadcast in 1963, there have been a number of exhibitions of props, costumes and sets throughout the United Kingdom...
which visited in 2010 is another example. During the winter months, smaller scale exhibitions are hosted, either on loan from other museums or created in-house.
As well as the exhibitions, The Science Centre contains shows throughout the year. The "Life Theatre" hosts live science demonstrations linked to the main exhibition, and "The Dome" is unique in the North-East of England, for its 360° domed ceiling and immersive projections. The shows are created and presented in-house, with many of the staff holding science-related degrees, some even to Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
level.
Educational aims
Learning programmes are offered to schools, aiming to raise standards in science education for young people and reach up to 40,000 school children annually.Workshops aimed at specific levels from Key Stage 1
Key Stage 1
Key Stage 1 is the legal term for the two years of schooling in maintained schools in England and Wales normally known as Year 1 and Year 2, when pupils are aged between 5 and 7. This Key Stage normally covers pupils during infant school, although in some cases this might form part of a first or...
to Key Stage 4
Key Stage 4
Key Stage 4 is the legal term for the two years of school education which incorporate GCSEs, and other exams, in maintained schools in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland—normally known as Year 10 and Year 11 in England and Wales, and Year 11 and Year 12 in Northern Ireland, when pupils are...
are offered to tie in with various aspects of the national curriculum, while the Centre also teaches the practical component of an MSc
MSC
- Computers:* Mario Strikers Charged* Microsoft Common Console Document, file for the Microsoft Management Console* Microelectronics Support Centre* Microsoft Corporation* MIDI Show Control* Message Sequence Chart...
in Genetics
Genetics
Genetics , a discipline of biology, is the science of genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms....
at the Institute of Human Genetics. School groups who visit the Centre for a lab or workshop are also able to enter the exhibition at a discounted rate.
As well as workshops on-site, the Centre for Life also operates an Outreach Programme. Scientists from the Centre visit schools who do not otherwise have access to laboratories or science equipment, often in impoverished or extremely rural areas.
A variety of educational activities are also open to the public. There is a monthly "Science Club" for children aged 8–14, and a free lecture series aimed at adults.
Medical research
Newcastle Fertility Centre was established in 1991 at the RVIRoyal Victoria Infirmary
Originally founded as the Newcastle Infirmary in 1751, the Royal Victoria Infirmary , in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, was opened on 11 July 1906 by Edward VII on of Town Moor given by the Corporation and Freemen. The fully furnished and equipped hospital, containing twenty wards, a nurses' home,...
, later moving to the Centre for Life and officially opened by Professor Lord Robert Winston
Robert Winston
Robert Maurice Lipson Winston, Baron Winston is a British professor, medical doctor, scientist, television presenter and politician.-Early life and education :...
on 22 February 2000. As well as treating infertile couples, it carries out research and development into new fertility treatments.
Scientists based at The Centre for Life are the first people in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
- and only the second in the world - to get a license for stem cell
Stem cell
This article is about the cell type. For the medical therapy, see Stem Cell TreatmentsStem cells are biological cells found in all multicellular organisms, that can divide and differentiate into diverse specialized cell types and can self-renew to produce more stem cells...
research on human embryos. The license will allow work on new treatments for conditions including diabetes, Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
and Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system...
.