Meteoric memories for Catherine and Rhiannon

Working as presenters at Teesside University’s Meteor Summer School brought back special memories for Catherine Cobby and Rhiannon Glenc.

For the pair once took part themselves in the University’s annual Meteor event for primary school pupils across from across the Tees Valley. Meteor was first launched in 1999 to inspire children to think about further and higher education.

This year’s Meteor event was inspired by London’s 2012 Olympics with activities ranging from designing and making clothing for the games to creating mascots and building a mini Olympic stadium and village structure.

Catherine and Rhiannon have both been studying Teesside University courses at Middlesbrough College. Catherine has just completed the BA (Hons) Creating Theatre and Rhiannon is a Creating Theatre foundation degree student.

Catherine, 22, said: 'I was a pupil at St Joseph’s School and took part in sports and science activities during Meteor. I can remember it being really fun and exciting.'

Rhiannon, 20, said: 'When I came to the University as a Meteor pupil from Whinney Banks Primary we visited the School of Health & Social Care and some of us acted as patients to see how all the facilities worked. It really made me excited about being able to go to university.'

Students from the University’s Elite Athlete Scheme also led the young visitors through motivational exercises and give inspirational talks. The Elite Athlete Scheme offers support through access to state of the art equipment and expertise. Potential Olympians aiming towards 2012 and 2016 are among the current Elite Athletes.

Teesside University has been awarded the Inspire mark, awarded through the London 2012 Inspire programme, which recognises organisations delivering projects and events genuinely inspired by the 2012 Games.

Middlesbrough is set to be one of the key stops on the Olympic Flame’s journey around the UK in the build-up to the London Olympic Games. The stop-off in Middlesbrough in June next year is part of the traditional Torch Relay which starts in Greece and culminates in the opening of the games in July 2012.

Joe Bulmer, of the University’s Schools & Colleges (Pre-16) team, said: 'The Meteor Summer School opens up the children to potential future careers and study opportunities at Teesside University.'

Taking part in the Meteor Summer School event were children making the transition from primary school to Thornaby and Freeborough Academies, of which Teesside University is the lead sponsor to both. They were joined by other primary school children from across Darlington, Middlesbrough and Billingham.

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