Centre for Life facts for kids
Logo of the Centre for Life
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| Established | 2000 |
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| Location | Times Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, England, NE1 4EP |
| Type | Science museum |
| Visitors | 225,000 visitors per year (as of 2010) |
| Public transit access | Railway, Bus, Metro |
| Nearest car park | Times Square Car Park |
The Centre for Life is an exciting science hub in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It's a special place where scientists, doctors, teachers, and business people work together. Their main goal is to help us understand more about 'life sciences'. This includes everything from how our bodies work to how new medicines are made.
The Centre for Life is also a registered charity. This means it's run for good causes and doesn't get money from the government. It's guided by a group of people called a board of trustees.
Contents
History of the Centre for Life
The Centre for Life first opened its doors in May 2000. The Queen herself officially opened it!
In March 2009, the centre hosted the UK's first ever Maker Faire. This is a big event where inventors, crafters, and tech fans show off their amazing projects. Maker Faire UK also came back to the Centre for Life in 2013 and 2016. Hundreds of creative people shared their ideas and ran workshops for visitors.
Explore the Life Science Centre
The Life Science Centre is a fun place for visitors of all ages. It's part of the larger International Centre for Life. Here, you can find many different things to see and do.
The centre often changes its exhibitions. This means there's always something new to discover! You can also enjoy a show in the Science Theatre. Or, you can look up at the stars in the amazing planetarium.
Hands-On Exhibitions and Activities
The Centre for Life is a busy place, providing jobs for about 600 people. Important partners here include the NHS and Newcastle University. They all work together to make science exciting and easy to understand.
Experiment Zone
In the Experiment Zone, you can try out cool lab-style activities. Have you ever wanted to extract DNA? You can do it here! The Brain Zone helps you learn how your amazing human brain works.
Wow Zone
The Wow Zone is full of hands-on fun. One popular activity is the 'Big Machine'. This machine lets you catapult plastic pellets high into the air, up to 6 metres! There are also seats connected to pulley systems. You can pull a wire to lift yourself up high.
Temporary Exhibitions and Ice Rink
Every May, the centre launches a new special exhibition. These are often big touring shows, like 'Body Worlds Vital' which visited in 2014. During the winter months, Times Square, right outside the centre, turns into an open-air ice rink. It's a great place to skate and have fun!
Important Medical Research
The Centre for Life is not just about fun exhibitions. It's also a very important place for medical research. Scientists and doctors here work on new ways to treat illnesses.
Newcastle Fertility Centre
The Newcastle Fertility Centre moved to the Centre for Life in 2000. It was officially opened by Professor Lord Robert Winston. This centre helps couples who are having trouble having children. They also do research to find new and better fertility treatments.
Stem Cell Research
Scientists at the Centre for Life made history. They were the first in Europe to get a special license for stem cell research on human embryos. This research is super important. It helps scientists learn how to create new treatments for serious conditions. These include illnesses like diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. In 2005, scientists here were also the first to successfully clone a human embryo. This was a big step in understanding how cells work.
Northern Genetics Service
The NHS Northern Genetics Service is also based here. It's part of the Institute of Genetic Medicine. Their main job is to provide services that help reduce illnesses caused by genetic problems. They work to the highest standards to help families.
