A UNIVERSITY is celebrating after the 2,000th young person in the region has trained to be one of their 'Science Ambassadors.'

Durham University started the project in 2011, with the aim to inspire young people’s interest in science, expand their scientific knowledge and equip them to share their learning with others.

Would-be ambassadors receive training in developing and delivering hands-on science activities and projects, which they put into action once back in their school or community group.

They also get training in communication skills and the opportunity to meet and work with young people from other schools and communities.

Now the project has trained its 2,000th 'Science Ambassador' in the North-East.

Dr Lorraine Coghill, the Ogden science outreach coordinator at Durham University, is responsible for the project, working in collaboration with business woman Dr Jenny Search since they started the programme nine years ago.

She said: “Right across our science outreach programme here at Durham University, our aim is to stimulate interest in science and help people understand how it applies to our everyday lives.

“Our 'Science Ambassadors' have been a huge help to us in doing this, taking their knowledge of and passion for science into their schools, towns and villages and inspiring others.

“We’re very proud to have trained our 2,000th 'Science Ambassador' and we’d like to thank the schools, community groups and most importantly the ambassadors themselves who have worked with us since 2011, and we look forward to the programme going from strength to strength in the years to come.”

The 'Science Ambassadors' programme is open to young people aged five to 18.

At key stage one, the science stars help their peers work scientifically, while at key stage two ambassadors have run science clubs and given presentations at science fairs.

In the secondary school age group, 'Science Ambassadors' have mentored younger pupils, developed their own workshops and programmes for primary schools, and take part in Durham University’s annual hands-on science festival Celebrate Science each October half-term.

At A-level, 'Science Ambassadors' have developed their own workshops and run them in primary schools.

Leah, who was a 'Science Ambassador' at Cleves Cross Primary School, in Ferryhill, said: “I have really enjoyed being a 'Science Ambassador.'

"I loved doing the science clubs, training, the opening of the Phiz Lab, the Rolls Royce and NETPark visits and learning all the science facts.

“I hope next year’s 'Science Ambassadors' love it as much as we did. Meeting an astronaut was amazing too.”

Izzy Raid, is a 'Science Ambassador' at Parkside Academy, Willington.

The 13-year-old said: “I thought it would be interesting to learn more science and help other people.

"It’s really fun.

"We get to learn how to do the experiments and teach the children to do them and explain them.”