Museum of Science and Industry

MOSI has attracted record numbers of school children for science lessons in the last year, the Museum announced today ahead of the Department of Education's response to the Science and Technology Select Committee report. There were 21,792 school children who attended MOSI's science themed sessions from 2010-11, and the numbers continue to rise this year.

The report, which was published on 14 September warned that: "Within UK schools, students are not receiving the practical science education necessary to produce the next generation of scientists." The Department of Education is expected to respond shortly to the report.

Increasingly, science centres such as MOSI are providing much-needed practical science opportunities for children outside of a school setting. MOSI recently underwent a £9million redevelopment programme and now has a new state of the art Learning Loft where school children can explore science using equipment and resources that are not available in all schools.  MOSI offers a variety of practical, hands-on science sessions which are linked to Museum's own collections. Children are more engaged with the science because they can experience how science works in the real world and see practical applications in the Museum's galleries.

MOSI is also a major centre for STEMNET (The Science, Engineering, Technology, Mathematics Network), which creates opportunities for learning STEM subjects and links schools with professionals in these fields.  So far this year over 70% of schools in Greater Manchester have had contact with a professional from a local university or STEM employer.

Learning Manager Iain Morley said: "Here at MOSI we have fantastic new science facilities and a brilliant team of Education Officers who can bring Curriculum-based science to life for both primary and secondary pupils, and show how it relates to the real world. We want to develop this programme over the next few years and would love to hear from more teachers who want to provide inspiring practical science education for their classes."

MOSI is part of the national Association of Science and Discovery Centres, all of which provide practical science education.

For more information on MOSI Learning go to www.mosi.org.uk/arning.aspx or email education@mosi.org.uk

For media enquiries and photos please contact: Sarah Roe, MOSI press and publicity officer on Tel: 0161 606 0176, m: 07847 372647

Notes to editors

• MOSI is the winner of the Large Visitor Attraction of the Year in the 2011 Manchester Tourism Awards

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