The lab is now open! Lab 13 was officially launched on April 3rd, 2009, at Dovecote Primary School in Clifton, Nottingham. It was clear from the start of the day, a buzz of anticipation was in the air. Guests were welcomed by the Management Team, who all introduced themselves and told us about their individual roles. 

This was followed by speeches from Andy Jenkins, Head teacher, Ed Williams, Chair of Governors, Andrew Morgan, East Midlands Development Agency, Emily Cummins, Inventor, finishing with Rick Hall, Ignite! Guests, including families of the Management Team, were then treated to two fantastic STEM demonstrations; chemical reactions by Sam Tang from the University of Nottingham, and an engineering spectacle from Ericsson.
 
The launch certainly attracted some media attention, with reporters from the Nottingham Evening Post, 96 Trent FM and BBC Radio Nottingham all present. Various members of the Management Team were interviewed, along with Emma Dowsett, the newly appointed Scientist in Residence. Whilst interviews were taking place, the rest of the guests were taken in groups to visit the new lab, and see the first experiment take place – a chain reaction machine!

I think I speak on behalf of all the guests present, when I say what a resounding success the opening of Lab 13 was. The day ran very smoothly, with no glitches, and the Management Team and their teacher Tracey Barton were exemplary in their coordination of the day's activities. We are now really looking forward to setting up the next group of Lab 13s! 

Amy Turner,Ignition*