Nl Charity NIC 103950
Annual Report 2016-2017
Our Campaign Group to establish a shared educatKon NW Children's Science Centre received
a communication on 21, April 2016 from ihe Nl Charities Commisston that we had been
successful in registering as a NI Charity NIC 103950. Board Members Mrs. Mary Casey,
Prof. Robert Gavin. Mrs. Sumeeta Gupta, Mrs. Ethna Mccullagh, Prof. Paul McKevitt and
Mrs. Mary Quigl¢y.
Immediately after receiving this NI Charity status our Board communicated with the CEO of
Glasgow Science Centre that we intended to visit the Centre and requested a meeting with
him and his senior management team. The Meeting at Glasgow Science Centre was funded
by Culmore Women's Handcraft Group and took place on 31 May 2016. Board Members
who attended the meeting were Mrs. Mary Casey, Prof. Robert Gavin. Mrs. Ethna
Mccullagh, Prof. Paul McKevitt, and Mrs. Mary Quigley. The depth and quality of
discussion and tour was very positive and a potential future relationship was promised.
On 30 June 2016 an Ulster Bank Account Number 12920648 was opened with a £10
lodgement under the name of Amelia Earhart Steam Zone and the signalories are Mrs. Mary
Casey, Prof. Paul McKevitt..
A Meeting of Board Members took place OTh 7, July in Starbucks Coffee House on the
Crescent Link and we agreed to establish links with Foyle Learning Community and to meet
with Mr.Allen 0£ Foyle College.
Board Members met with Mr. Allen, Principal of foyle College on Tuesday 8 November
and received infonnation on Foyle Learning Community and advice to meet with the cun.ent
Chair of Foyle Learning Community, Mrs. Marie Lindsay, Principal of St. Mary's College.
He stated that Foyle Learning Community compTised a significant nutnber of post primary
schools that came together approx. l O years ago to establish a shared STEM Centre at
Ebrington .and to secure a slice of the funding available under Digital De￿Y and uiider the
Department of Education's related strategy.
On Friday 2 December Board M¢mbers inet with Mrs. Marie Lindsay, Chair of Foyle
Learning Community and Principal of St. Mary's College. According to the Principal of St.
Mary's College and current Chair of the Foyle Learning Community, the feedback from the
Department of Education has been that the proposal had no budget nor outline of how
Operating Costs will be covered. She stated that the Department has been found to be risk
averse. Marie Lindsay stated that the Foyle Learning Community have the plans drawn up,
the classrooms assigned and all in place to secure capital investment in the building
but cannot provide details on how it will pay for the running costs

During mid Decemb¢T 2016 our Nl Charity applied for a 'Techies in Residence, _ 'Techies
in Residence brings together social challenges from charities and social enterprises
with digital technology professionals to produce innovative digital products and
services that have potential for deep social impact, and is a Building Change Trust
initiative but our NI Charity was deemed unsuccessful.
Board Members met on Friday 16 December 2016 in the Everglades Hotel and agreed to set
up a meeting with the fomier Ulster University STEP Up Dlrector. Dr. Damian O'Kane.