Through an exciting and innovative venture the Rotary Club of Wigan, partnered by the Rotary Club of Bacau, Romania, have been trying to implement a joint project at a country school in the village of Gaiceana. Science teaching in Romania is very teacher-centred and the clubs have now provided a fully equipped and serviced laboratory which will allow the pupils to do much more 'hands-on' learning in their science lessons.

The new Lab is being furnished and equipped to the highest standards enabling teachers and students to experience Science teaching and learning in a new way with the long term aim of being able to cascade this out into other schools across the country.

New ways of working will involve the use of specialist teaching materials which at present are unfamiliar to the Romanian teachers and so the Wigan Rotary recently arranged for three Romanian teachers to come over and have in-service training. Shevington High School and its staff have been fully involved in this training and the school is looking to establish a long-term relationship with the Romanian school.

The necessary work associated with the project has been undertaken by the local area Council and has the full backing of the local Mayor and other civic and education officers. The Romanian teachers have been hosted by members of the Wigan Club and they were also able to meet members of the Club at a recent meeting.

The 11 and 12 year-old pupils of Prescot School have raised £260 to purchase additional equipment by selling cakes to the pupils and staff of that school. Funding for the project has been provided by Wigan Rotary Club (US$16,359), supplemented by contributions from the Rotary Club of Bacau and matched by global grant money (US$20,190) from the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.