Centre of the Cell

The new Centre of the Cell in London, which houses an education centre for pupils, aims to promote the learning of science in schools. Photograph: Linda Nylind/Guardian

It is hoped the new centre will inspire more children to take up science. Photograph: Linda Nylind/Guardian

In the middle of a working laboratory in Whitechapel, east London, children can see new ideas being tried out. Photograph: Linda Nylind/Guardian

Young people get the chance to do hands-on experiments and see that science is not just about learning dull facts. Photograph: Linda Nylind/Guardian

Lord Drayson, the science minister, said: 'We need to maintain an excitement in science'. Photograph: Linda Nylind/Guardian

The new centre aims to find imaginative ways to encourage young people into a career in science. Photograph: Linda Nylind/Guardian

Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton, right, opens the new science education centre in London, accompanied by (from left to right) Roisin Kenny and Sam Kenny, both 11, from Islington, and Emilia Harris and Henry Enlolobo, both 14, from Hackney. Photograph: Zak Hussein/PA