Football boosts science

IPSWICH Town Football Club will kick off a new education drive this month to encourage children to take up science.

Town Academy official Simon Milton will officially open the Suffolk launch of the Science Learning Centre for the East of England at Portman Road on Thursday, October 14.

Award-winning palaeontologist Professor Richard Fortey will give a talk entitled A Brief History of the World to teachers, technicians and pupils in a bid to raise awareness of science and stimulate interest in the subject.

It is one of seven events lead by prominent figures taking place in East Anglia.

The initiative, funded by the Department of Education and Skills and the WellcomeTrust, hopes to inspire and support the teaching of science in schools and colleges across the UK.

Portman Road is increasingly being used to give learning a fun twist for Suffolk students.

Last week hundreds of schoolchildren took part in an event to celebrate dance and art across a variety of cultures.

The World Arts Day was held at Portman Road and provided 300 youngsters from primary and secondary schools with an introduction to different types of dance and art across the globe.

Town star Fabian Wilnis, patron of Dance East, gave his support to the event by appearing as a special guest.

The event was organised by the club's Education and Sports Trust, along with Suffolk County Council, Dance East and CSV Media.

Ipswich Town chief executive, Derek Bowden, said: "This event will help to raise awareness of the cultural diversity of Suffolk, a diversity which forms an integral part of our community."

The science launch will take place at Portman Road at 6.30pm. For more information or to book your free place, contact the Science Learning Centre on 01992 503498.