Woodlands School children embark on global voyage in University's ship simulator

Children from Woodlands School in Plymouth became ship captains for the day when they visited Plymouth University’s Marine Building.

Three children from the school visited the University earlier this month to experience its state-of-the-art ship simulator – and within two hours they’d helmed a speed boat and cargo ship in Plymouth Sound, Sydney Harbour and New York.

Woodlands School provides specialist education for young people from across the South West who have physical and sensory difficulties between the ages of two and 19 years. A specially-adapted platform was created in the simulator to make the facility wheelchair accessible for the students.

Andy Copson, a teacher from Woodlands School, said: “Our students learn best from stimulating experiences, which they certainly received at the University. Within the space of our visit, they had driven a fast work-boat and a giant cargo ship in Plymouth Sound, Sydney Harbour and around New York.

“They all thoroughly enjoyed the experience of being on the bridge of a ship and over the course on the visit really got to grips with the controls of the simulator. Our thanks go to everyone at Plymouth University for helping make our visit possible.”

The Marine Building opened in October 2012 and houses the country’s most advanced wave tank testing equipment, as well as a dedicated innovation centre for marine renewable technology and engineering businesses.

It is home to the UK’s broadest Marine Institute, a world class team of researchers and scientists who cover almost every major sea-related discipline including oceanography, hydrography, marine biology and coastal ecology, as well as engineering, shipping, and professional development for the navigation industry.

Dr Andrew Eccleston, lecturer in nautical studies from the University’s School of Marine Science and Engineering, helped organise the visit. He said: “The Marine Building is an extremely valuable asset not only for students and industry professionals, but also for educating the community and youngsters, as with the case of Woodlands School. It was fantastic to see the pupils enjoying the experience and gaining so much from it.”