House of Science director Chris Duggan (left) and educator Lindsey Morgan with some of the knitted brain neurons that Silver Scientists, classes for over-65s, will make. Photo/Andrew Warner
House of Science director Chris Duggan (left) and educator Lindsey Morgan with some of the knitted brain neurons that Silver Scientists, classes for over-65s, will make. Photo/Andrew Warner
If you've ever wondered what a brain neuron looks like, now you can knit one at the house of Science's new home on Grey Street.
The House of Science, which works with all ages to improve science literacy, is moving from its current residence at the Waikato University marine researchcentre at Sulphur Point to a new space at 100 Grey Street, right in the CBD.
House of Science director Chris Duggan says it's an exciting move for the charitable trust.
"There's twice as much room and we'll have a really nice presence in the community."
The team is holding an open day next weekend, with a science extravaganza on June 18, here the House of Science kids will share their learning.
"How do you actually communicate your new knowledge to the community? That is a really big part of why you do science in the first place, which is to make the world a better place," Chris says.
"That's why we want to have a time and place where these kids can show off what they're learning."
The team will also launch the Silver Scientists programme as part of the extravaganza, which is where the knitted neurons come in.
House of Science hosted activity co-ordinators from rest homes late last month, who made the display knitted neurons with help from educator Lindsey Morgan.
"[But] Silver Scientists is more than just knitting. We're actually wanting them to come to the House of Science and do three or four or five experiments while they're there," Chris says.
Lindsey says the aim is for those who attend to "go back to their centre and baffle their friends".
They're hoping to hold the Silver Scientists sessions at least four times per year.
June 18 is also international Knit in Public day.
"It's kind of linked just perfectly for us," Lindsey says.
"The fact that we can invite our Silver Scientists down and there'll be a chance for them to have those knitting patterns again ... and make one of the neurons."
Lindsey says knitting is good for anxiety, lowers blood pressure, is a relaxation and has links to lowering blood sugar, "so is good for your inner health and brain health".
"It's a proven fact that any repetitive, hands-on activity like knitting is beneficial for brain health," Chris says.
She says House of Science wants to continue reaching out to theretired community, "because we know there's such a potential there of engaging them and keeping their brain active".
Lindsey agrees. "When I went to the rest homes originally to deliver the idea, I just saw all these people literally sitting around watching the day go by," she says.
"I thought to myself I just want to get in there with some test tubes and go 'what do you think would happen if we do this?'," she says.
Chris says the new premises will allow the trust to keep expanding.
We want to do more, there's such a demand out there in the community ... we'll be able to offer extra programmes for five to seven-year-olds from what we're currently doing.
There's a big demand for that." Chris says they now have 40 resource boxes that schools can hire, which take up a lot of room.
"We physically can't fit more stuff in here [at Sulphur Point]." The trust has also hired Lindsey, as well as a part-time administrator and a part-time resource manager.
"It's because the Wright Family [Foundation] came on board at the beginning of this year and allowed me to employ them, which frees me up more to look after the national roll- out."
By national roll-out, Chris means the House of Science opening and supporting branches in other city centres, including Rotorua, Manawatu, Wellington, Hutt Valley, Nelson and Whakatane.
Once they're settled in Grey St the team plans to start working with early childhood education, as they have been approached by several centres.
"We're going to be offering professional development for early childhood teachers and resources as well, for sale rather than to borrow."
House of Science director Chris Duggan (left) and educator Lindsey Morgan with some of the knitted brain neurons that Silver Scientists, classes for over-65s, will make. Photo/Andrew Warner
WHAT'S ON? * Silver Scientists is on from 10am till noon, on June 18 at 100 Grey St, and will offer hands-on science experiments for over-65s, as well as the chance to knit brain neurons.
* The House of Science general open day is on from 2pm till 5pm, including a demonstration of 60cm humanoid robots.
