Alex Clarke
PIPS Host Organisation: Winchester Science Centre (Wonderseekers)

Alex’s PIPS was at the Winchester Science Centre, which is run by the charity Wonderseekers and aims to create an equitable world where all children can treasure science. During her PIPS she joined the Inspirer Team, who lead on science communication within the centre. This role has two main facets. On school days, the centre is open to school trips, who undertake one of six science workshops, watch a planetarium show and have time to explore the exhibits. As an Inspirer Alex would lead these workshops, deliver the planetarium shows and interact with the children on the floor.

On weekends and during school holidays, the centre was open to the public. On these days Alex would deliver science theatre shows, do live science demonstrations, run planetarium shows, and again interact with the public on the floor.

Throughout the placement Alex learned various skills in communicating with people of all ages. keeping the attention of a 2-year-old while also entertaining an 80-year-old and teaching a group of 100 people about the science of sound required quick switching between communication styles. This skill was developed over the course of the PIPS. Additionally, a key mission of the science centre is to be accessible to all, so Alex was also communicating with people of all different abilities, including visually impairments, hearing differences, mobility differences, neurodivergence, and learning disabilities. Catering to everyone at once can be a challenge.

Alex’s time at Winchester Science Centre has shown her that she would love for this to be her career. It is not an easy job, and can often be thankless, but the look on a child’s face when you spark their curiosity is a gift and makes it all worth it.