YOUNGSTERS are being given the opportunity to help design a new half-a-million pound exhibition at Winchester Science Centre.

The move by the centre, which is run by an independent educational charity, forms part of their mission to get children engaged in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects.

The new exhibition, part of a larger development project titled Inspiring Science for All, is due to open in spring 2020. Themed around sound, vibration and hearing it will tackle questions such as ‘What is sound?’, ‘Why is sound so important?’ and ‘How does sound affect our lives?’

Chief executive Ben Ward said: “The exhibition is for children and their families to enjoy. To make it the best it can be, it is essential that young people are involved in the project every step of the way.”

The Young Steering Group will meet one Saturday morning a month at Winchester Science Centre from September to February to review designs, discuss ideas and make sure the final product is fun and engaging. The workshops will be led by the chief executive and worldwide exhibition designers HKD Design.

Applications are welcome from any child aged eight to 12, and no previous science experience is necessary, just a willingness to take part and share ideas.

To take part, children are being asked to submit a design idea for an interactive exhibit about sound and write a short message to explain why they’d like to be a member of the group.

Applications can be emailed to chiefexecutive@winchestersciencecentre.org or via Facebook at www.facebook.com/winchestersciencecentre. The closing date for applications is 9am on Friday September 6 and must include the child’s name, age and first part of their home postcode.

Designs can be created in any format, such as a drawing, written description or video file.

Young Steering Group members will have travel expenses reimbursed, receive a free one year family pass to the Science Centre and an invitation to the new exhibition’s VIP launch.