Students from Kings Ely visited the Parliamentary Education Centre earlier this month. The Centre opened in the summer of 2015 and is a world-class education facility that inspires and connects young people with Parliament and democracy.
Within the centre there are themed interactive rooms - a Commons, a Lords and a Monarchy room - each boasting augmented reality experiences. In the Commons, Sir Winston Churchill introduces visitors to the Chamber; in the Lords, students can explore a 3D model of the chamber and follow the Yeoman Usher as he puts the mace in place each session; and, in the Monarchy room, portraits of Queen Victoria and King Charles I come to life and talk about their relationship with Parliament.
In addition students can take a 15 minute virtual tour through Parliament and see recreations of historical events connected to each Chamber such as the 1908 suffragettes protest in the House of Commons, and an attempt to gain access to the House of Lords chamber in 1739 by the Duchess of Queensbury.
While on site, Kings Ely students took part in a debate on the value of select committees and met with their MP, Lucy Frazer.
Lucy said, “The Education Centre offers a wonderful learning experience and really helps bring politics to life. It was a real pleasure meeting the Kings Ely students and I hope they left feeling inspired and excited about politics and Parliament.”