A range of new science facilities have officially opened at North Hertfordshire College's Stevenage campus.

SITEC (Science, Innovation and Technology Centre) officially opened this afternoon (March 9).

The facilities include five separate labs, allowing students to learn using an immersive reality space, virtual reality (VR) headsets and a range of lab-spaces.

The Comet: The facility includes five separate labs.The facility includes five separate labs. (Image: Pearce Bates)

Sports science, vaccine production and learning about industry software is all included.

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A number of guests attended the event, including Stevenage MP Stephen McPartland and Adrian Hawkins OBE, chair of the Stevenage Development Board.

The Comet: The venture has been created in partnership with North Hertfordshire College (NHC), Stevenage Borough Council, and Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (Hertfordshire LEP).The venture has been created in partnership with North Hertfordshire College (NHC), Stevenage Borough Council, and Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (Hertfordshire LEP). (Image: Elgood Photography)

Stephen McPartland MP said: "I've been here 13 years, so I'm old enough to be opening this building for the second time!

                                                                                                                                

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"The first time I opened it, it was going to be a studio school.

The Comet: Stephen McPartland MP said: North Hertfordshire College is the place to be.Stephen McPartland MP said: North Hertfordshire College is the place to be. (Image: Elgood Photography)

"The reason why I'm referring to that is that I'm also going to refer back to one other thing. 

"I also laid a brick in 2011, at the back of the Stevenage Catapult Life Sciences area.

The Comet: An immersive space will be permanently installed over the summer.An immersive space will be permanently installed over the summer. (Image: Pearce Bates)

"...When we did this as a studio school, what was brilliant about the college - Stevenage Borough Council, Herts County Council... we're like a family, we argued - but what we all do is get stuff done.

The Comet: Sports Science is one of the areas covered by the new facilities.Sports Science is one of the areas covered by the new facilities. (Image: Pearce Bates)

"The college, in fairness, have always tried to do new stuff, they've tried to innovate.

"The college's idea is brilliant, which is, if you've got a bunch of life sciences companies on the edge of your town, you're going to provide lots of opportunities for children to go into those companies."

The Comet: A student exploring the interior of a cell through VR.A student exploring the interior of a cell through VR. (Image: Pearce Bates)

North Hertfordshire College's CEO and principal, Kit Davies, added: "We create exciting, vibrant spaces.

"We fill it with exciting, vibrant technology and equipment.

The Comet: Students can learn about a range of subjects, including vaccine production.Students can learn about a range of subjects, including vaccine production. (Image: Pearce Bates)

"We hire and work with brilliant staff, who come from industry, and who want to then give something back.

"We put all of that into a test tube, we put it into the centrifuge.

The Comet: Students have been researching potential vaccines for the Dengue virus.Students have been researching potential vaccines for the Dengue virus. (Image: Pearce Bates)

"We mix it all up and after a year, after two years, three years, we are churning out employer ready, tailor made people for the workforce."