TEESSIDE-based The Materials Processing Institute took science out of the classroom when it invited classes from Sunnyside Academy for a visit.
The Research and Development specialist, which will be celebrating its 70th birthday this year, invited the children to aid with their topics ‘flow’ and ‘mighty metals’.
The classes took part in live experiments, using a selection of the Institute’s state-of-the-art equipment to record results and answer questions.
Kirsty Hodgson, class teacher of Year Four, said: “With every topic we aim to give the children a ‘wow’ experience.
“This gives them the chance to see the topic in action and then progress their learning from there.
“The class was so excited to visit The Institute and conduct experiments in their laboratories that they’ve been talking about it all week.”
The children were separated into groups and taken to different laboratory areas in the Institute to participate in experiments involving water flow.
Colin Atkinson, Manager of Energy, Environment and Minerals at the Materials Processing Institute, said: “It’s great to be welcoming the children into The Institute to educate them and also encourage that passion in science.
“They’ve been brilliantly behaved and taken a real interest in the experiments we’ve provided. We hope they visit again.”
Sunnyside Academy is the first school to visit The Institute since MPI moved into independent ownership after splitting from Tata Steel last year.
Colin added: “As an Institute based in the North East we are passionate about giving back to the region and supporting with the school curriculum wherever possible.
“We hope in time we will be able to work alongside more schools drawing on our years of expertise to educate the next batch of young scientists.”