SCIENCE enthusiasts from Prudhoe Community High School were among those who enjoyed an Antarctic-themed day at Northumberland College.

The events were part of a programme called FutureMe, offered by partners of the North East Collaborative Outreach Programme (NECOP), to encourage young people to progress to higher education.

The first FutureMe event held by Northumberland College was on December 1 and coincided with Antarctica Day, which celebrates the signature of the Antarctic Treaty in 1959 – conserving the interest of science and the progress of all humankind.

The full-day agenda saw science and geography students from Prudhoe High School and Berwick Academy join students from the college’s STEM and countryside management programmes for a series of activities connected with Antarctica science.

Activities included a live conference call with the manager of the Bonner laboratory in Rothera Research Station in the Antarctic Peninsula.

Maria Avila, Northumberland College’s NECOP widening participation co-ordinator, said: “The activity has been a huge success. The students really enjoyed themselves and engaged well with the activities.

“I think we are starting to change their perspective of what they can achieve in life with a higher education degree.”