Tauranga's House of Science (HOS) was launched last night, overcoming a recent setback when Tauranga Energy Consumer Trust (TECT) turned down an application for a start-up grant.
The HOS trust, set up earlier this year by director Chris Duggan, is focused on providing local students and teachers with tools and educational resources to demonstrate the wide range of business career opportunities available in science.
"We are definitely where we wanted to be in terms of starting up," said Ms Duggan. But she acknowledged that it was "a shame" that hoped for funding from TECT had not been granted. "Initially they were very positive and encouraging and invited me to apply for a significant start-up grant. But that hasn't materialised."
Ms Duggan said she had been advised she could re-apply for funding next year. One source told the Bay of Plenty Times there were some doubts within the TECT board about the long-term viability of the HOS. However, HOS had received strong support from schools and businesses, according to several sources. In addition, the University of Waikato had offered a package that included a contract for Ms Duggan to use the science learning hub to promote its services to teachers, which would underpin the start-up funding.
Greg Simmonds, strategic projects manager for Priority One said: "Science and innovation are drivers of local and international competitiveness.