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Question from: County Councillor Ian Harrison Subject: Powys Library Van redeployment - "Earth Lab in a Van"
Question:
The Institute of Physics has, for a number of years, run a ‘Lab in a Lorry’ campaign around UK secondary schools, to enable students to gain ‘hands-on’ experience of a small number of key physics experiments and to meet with STEM Ambassadors with direct experience of science based careers. This initiative was actively supported by Wrexham University for Wales.
During a recent visit to the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) in Corris, one of the challenges explained by their resident environmental experts is to reach out to younger students, preferably at Primary School level and to support teachers with additional learning opportunities.
I believe we have an opportunity to create a travelling ‘Earth Lab in a Van’ which could be deployed throughout Mid-Wales, utilising the existing Powys Library Van which I understand is no longer utilised. The van could be reconfigured internally to deliver our Environmental Curriculum to Primary Schools and even converted to an alternative power train (hydrogen or battery). We could also invite STEM Ambassadors and CAT experts to help explain features of the travelling Lab. There are emerging businesses in Powys with this capability, one which I believe should be promoted because of the employment opportunities it would introduce for local hi-tech skills development.
Does Cabinet support the proposal to evaluate redeployment of the Powys Library Van as a mobile ‘Earth Lab’ demonstrator for Powys Primary School students, in collaboration with the Centre for Alternative Technology?
Minutes: Response by the Cabinet Member:
I think it’s a great opportunity for the vehicle to be used in a creative way. However, as a number of Charities/Organisations have approached us in the same manner we need to take a fair approach.
As an Authority we also need to maximise the sale value to ensure we have sufficient funds within our replacement capital programme for vehicles.
Taking the above into consideration the Library Van will be going to auction. We fully intend on informing all interested parties that it can be purchased through the auction and to bid if they want.
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