SCIENCE goes under the spotlight at Kelly College this term, as a new state-of-the-art science block is opened. The Adair Building was officially opened on Monday, September 12 after three years of hard work, which has seen the installation of six new, state-of-the-art laboratories; two for each of the core science subjects ? physics, chemistry and biology. More than £285,000 has been invested into the project, including a £40,000 grant from the Wolfson Foundation, which distributes money to help refurbish science laboratories, and allowed the school to install wireless networking in the building, enabling students to complete their work anywhere within the science block. Part of the building will also be used as a careers internet café, giving students the opportunity to study in an excellent working environment during study periods, and gain advice on careers and university courses. The Adair Building, officially opened by Dr David Baker, principal of the College of St Mark and St John, was named after former chemistry teacher at the school, Dr Allan Adair. Dr Adair was one of the first teachers to use the original science facilities when they were opened in 1938, and who also attended the opening. Headmaster of Kelly College, Mark Steed, who has been looking forward to the opening of the building, said in his speech: ?It has taken three summers and many man hours to renovate this grand old building. ?What has been achieved has been nothing short of time-travel. The nineteenth century-style laboratories that graced this building for so many generations, have been transformed into some of the finest state-of-the-art 21st century labs.? The college hopes the Adair Building will inspire students to enter science as a career, especially as it was named after a man who lived through a series of science expansions which broke through previous boundaries, including the first flight made by the Wright Brothers, the publication of Einstein?s General Theory of Relativity, and the discovery, made by Edwin Hubble, of large galaxies beyond the Milky Way. Mr Steed said: ?It is no surprise that Allan Adair was captivated by science, and it is most fitting that this building, where he spent such a distinguished career, should now be named after him?.
