Interactive learning centre is launched

Tánaiste Mary Harney has announced that Ireland is to get its first ever interactive learning centre for children and young adults.

The centre will be designed and run by the Irish Children's Museum Ltd, a not-for-profit company.

Harney said "It is a unique initiative which has the potential to do more for the promotion and teaching of science than anything else previously undertaken in Ireland".

"Exploration Station" will be a purpose-built interactive learning centre designed specifically for Ireland and dedicated to providing children, young adults, their carers and teachers with a hands-on learning and discovery experience.

The project has been agreed between this Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment, the Irish Children's Museum and OPW.

As part of the development of publicly owned lands a custom designed 50,000 square foot building for this interactive centre will be provided.

The Irish Children's Museum will occupy this new building under licence to develop this unique interactive learning experience with a predominant focus on science.

Exploration Station, which is expected to open in 2006, will be sited in a custom-built premises to be located in the new OPW Heuston Gate Development in Kilmainham in Dublin.

Exploration Station has close links to the famous Boston Children's Museum.