More programmes at House of Science

&NewLine;<p><img class&equals;" alignright size-full wp-image-965" src&equals;"http&colon;&sol;&sol;schoolnewsnz&period;fastrackdev&period;com&sol;wp-content&sol;uploads&sol;2014&sol;07&sol;SND05-wk5-News-Science-&lowbar;Blake&lowbar;Chissell&lowbar;&lowbar;300x225&period;jpg" alt&equals;"SND05-wk5-News-Science- Blake Chissell 300x225" style&equals;"margin&colon; 5px&semi; float&colon; right&semi;" width&equals;"300" height&equals;"225" &sol;>The House of Science in Tauranga is now offering specialised science programmes three times a week under the leadership of a newly appointed co-ordinator&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p> <&excl;--more--> <&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>The demand for the after-school programmes was such that director Chris Duggan decided there was a need for more sessions&comma; so a second afternoon programme starts this week&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>Earlier this month the House of Science ran an Engineering and Innovation holiday programme where students learnt about bridge design&comma; concrete composition&comma; process engineering and rockets&period; They took part in innovation challenges and programmed robots to complete simple tasks&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>Meanwhile the science resources being delivered to primary schools continue to increase as sponsors come on board&period; Page Macrae has funded three robotics kits&comma; which are available to schools and proving extremely popular&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>&&num;8220&semi;Students and adults alike are fascinated by robots&comma;&&num;8221&semi; Ms Duggan says&period; &&num;8220&semi;Our kits allow all primary students&comma; from year 0 to 8&comma; to experience robot building and programming first-hand&period;&&num;8221&semi;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>Several families approached the House of Science to request a VEX robotic club be started to cater for students who do not have the opportunity to partake in this robotics at their own schools&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>The House of Science VEX robotics team has now been formed and was a tournament finalist along with Glenfield College at the recent Auckland VEX Robotics Regional Scrimmage&comma; within just two weeks of getting its first set of robotic parts&period;<br &sol;>&&num;8220&semi;It was encouraging to see the networking and friendships forming amongst all participants&comma; with Lynfield College generously hosting our team for two days prior to the tournament&comma; to share ideas and practice time on the Glenfield College field&comma;&&num;8221&semi; Ms Duggan says&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;