Troubled science centre up and running
A new children's science workshop which faced an Education Department inquiry before it opened is now up and running.
The department was alerted to Science Workshop, on the 27th floor of the Universal Trade Centre in Arbuthnot Road, Central, by other tenants in the commercial building.
They had claimed it was unlicensed and breaking the Education Ordinance by being more than 24 metres above the ground. The workshop directors said they immediately contacted the Education Department when they realised there was a problem. 'We went straight to the department because we wanted to be transparent and also law-abiding,' workshop executive director Debbie Hung said.
They were forced to run only trial classes from the scheduled starting date on June 18 until the programme was registered on July 17. The workshop, which caters to science enthusiasts aged between three and 12, is now running from a smaller area on the building's ninth floor.
The directors said they agreed with the education and fire departments' requirements for children to be kept on lower floors to protect their safety.
Director Dannie Hong-Choy said that when they contacted the Education Department they were told the programme would be acceptable, but had to be registered and comply with safety rules as it was classified as an educational programme for children.
Ms Hung, who was inspired to set up the centre after seeing similar workshops in the US, said she had contacted parents after the situation was reported in Education Post, and found them positive. 'They were very happy and supportive of us,' she said.
The workshop's summer programme runs until August 30. Its autumn programme starts on September 3.
