Paul Smith gave Lord Drayson, Labour Science Minsiter a tour of @Bristol during a recent visit to the City.  The tour included visits to the public exhibition areas, educational facilities and the workshops were new exhibits and travelling kits for schools were being designed.

Paul said, "Lord Drayson was clearly impressed with the work of the atBristol team, in particular their entrepeneurial spirit and desire to inspire the scientists and engineers of the future".

The was also a serious message about the current lack of Government funding for science centres.  Paul commented,  "The argument for state support for centres like this is compelling, as a graduate scientist myself and someone who was involved in getting atBristol off the ground I am a strong advocate for proper funding for the advancement of science and technology and was pleased that Lord Drayson accepted my invitation to visit this project".

Notes:  Paul Smith was a member of the Board of Bristol 2000 which built Explore at-Bristol and was the chair of the Land Committee which made the site available for the development.

Paul has a BSc(hons) in Astrophysics and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (Physics and Mathematics to 'A' level, science to GCSE)