Wrexham science centre visited by Wales’ economy minister

A Wrexham science discovery centre played host to Wales’s economy minister this week.

Vaughan Gething MS visited Xplore!, on Henblas Street, on Wednesday during a North Wales tour to sites that had received support from the Welsh Government.

In 2019 Xplore! – which was formerly Techniquest Glyndwr – received funding from the Inspiring Science Fund, a partnership between UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Wellcome, Welsh Government and Wrexham Council.

It enabled the Wrexham-based science centre to relocate to the town centre and to create a dedicated outreach team.

With the funding continuing throughout the pandemic the team were able to support communities by co-creating fun and educational science-based activities for children during such a tough year.

During his visit the minister took a tour of the centre, which includes a living wall
and a driving simulator currently on loan from Tenstar Simulation and Llay-based training provider Gatewen Training Services.

Mr Gething was also told of how school children would have an opportunity to build their own hydroponics system as a workshop delivered to schools in the coming term.

Recognising the impact of the science centre to the wider economy, he commented on the local STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) skills gap before referencing the national shortage of drivers in the logistics sector and of the importance that centres such as Xplore! play in creating a pipeline of skilled individuals.

Katie Williams, business development officer at Xplore! said: “The on-going support from Ministers including Vaughan Gething is helping us to secure the future of science engagement in Wrexham.

“It was fantastic to welcome the Minister to the centre as an opportunity to witness first-hand the hard work of all the staff here and to see families enjoying Xplore!.”