Sally Preston, Director

Sally has been involved with Science Learning Centre North East since its inception, becoming the Director in June 2004.

Sally originally trained in scientific research, completing her doctorate degree and then training as a chemistry teacher. She has taught in a variety of secondary schools in the North East region and was Head of a highly successful Biology Department. Sally has a particular interest in how children and adults learn and has developed and led professional development in this field. In her roles as Advisory Teacher and Key Stage 3 Science consultant she has worked with Science teachers and departments, in a variety of contexts, to develop classroom practice.

Prior to her appointment as Director, Sally was an Assistant Headteacher at Framwellgate School Durham, combining the roles of Head of Sixth Form and Post-16 curriculum. She was appointed Director of Science when the school was awarded Specialist Science status.

Rae Lowe, Business Development Manager

Rae is responsible for setting the budget and overseeing the marketing strategies, as well as developing liaison with local businesses and partnership networks. She also acts as Facilities Manager for the Centre and oversees all external bookings.

Rae joined Science Learning Centre North East in February 2005 from Newcastle University where she worked in research administration. Previously she worked for a company providing training in Direct Marketing.

Rae graduated in 1997 with a BSc in Geography & History from the University of Surrey.

Mike Cole, Secondary Professional Development Leader

Mike is responsible for our secondary professional development programme (KS 3, 4 & 5). He works closely with other members of the team to support professional development for teachers, science technicians and support staff.

Mike has a range of teaching experience, having taught science at secondary level in Cardiff, London and more recently in the North East of England. He has recently completed an MA in Education with the Open University, and is now working towards a PhD at Durham.

James Grainger, IT Manager

James is responsible for supporting, developing and maintaining all IT and AV facilities, systems and equipment within Science Learning Centre North East.

He also provides IT and AV support to any visitors to the Centre.

James joined Science Learning Centre North East in February 2006 from a local authority where he provided comprehensive IT and AV support and advice to schools and training facilities within the area. James' background is originally in electronics and has worked in local industry with various duties ranging from designing electronic television circuits, to programming, designing and building computerised audiovisual test equipment.

James is currently studying for a BSc in Information Technology and Computing; he is also a Microsoft accredited MCSA.

Jane Ives, Science Technician

Jane is responsible for equipping and maintaining the science laboratory as well as running the Kit Club.

Jane joined Science Learning Centre North East in October 2005 from Durham University where she worked as a research scientist in a Molecular Neuroscience lab.

Jane graduated with a degree in Biology from the University of York in 1991, followed by a PhD in human molecular genetics from University College London. She held a research post at the School of Pharmacy in London, before moving to Durham.

Nicola Hall, Centre Support Officer

Nicola is responsible for the administration of the Centre and is the person most likely to be answering the telephone to anyone calling us.

Nicola joined Science Learning Centre North East in September 2004 after a period working as a fabric technologist for a sportswear design team based in London . She carried out a wide range of tests on fabrics developing a strong understanding of the chemistry involved. She has also worked as manager of a fabric testing laboratory, working her way up from technician.

Deborah Herridge, CPD Programme Leader

Deborah joins us from the North East Regional Museums Hub where she managed the regional education team and specialised in teaching and learning in out-of-school contexts for KS3&4. Deborah worked for a range of organisations, including ICI, NHS and the Arts Council, as a researcher before completing a P.G.C.E. at Nottingham Trent University . She has taught science in Primary and Secondary Schools both in the UK and abroad and is the co-author of Heinemann Explore Science.

Claire Willis, North East Teacher Scientist Network Coordinator

Claire joins us from an ‘edutainment’ background after working in non-formal education settings for over 14 years. Claire graduated in Biology in 1993 and since then initially worked for the national chain of Sea Life Centres until her appointment in 1998 as Education Manger at Newcastle’s Centre for Life. Whilst there she was responsible for the design, delivery and development of the educational provision within the millennium project.

In recent years Claire ran her own science education company providing bespoke workshops for local schools, regional science festivals and museums. She has worked closely with the EBP network, local businesses and universities. Claire was responsible for co-writing and producing the first touring science pantomime for Key Stage 2 pupils and has delivered national biotechnology CPD training as well as writing resource material for several popular science websites.

Dr Krista McKinzey, Climate Change Project Officer

Krista originally hails from the state of Illinois, though came to the UK via New Zealand, where she spent her last year of high school as an exchange student, and thereafter studied for her BSc & MSc Geography from the University of Canterbury (Christchurch) which she received with First Class Honours. Krista obtained her PhD in Geography at the University of Edinburgh in 2006 - her research expertise involves glaciology, landscape and climate change, particularly in New Zealand and Iceland. She has been the recipient of several prominent academic awards, including from the Royal Scottish Geographical Society and the Mackay Expedition Fund.

Krista has taught Geography at Fettes College in Edinburgh, and developed and delivered an environmental science Outreach Programme to 6000 children from over 40 schools across Scotland during the 2006 – 2007 school year on behalf of Our Dynamic Earth and the Scottish Seabird Centre, two of the country’s leading Science Centres. As recognition of this work, Krista was the only scientist from Scotland invited to attend the recent British Council’s ‘Communicating Climate Change’ workshop in Washington DC. Krista now manages the Climate Change Schools Project in the North East which aims to make climate change a core part of the curriculum in Key Stages 2 & 3, and to establish a network of ‘Climate Change Lead Schools’ across the region over the next 2 years.

Contacting staff