Amy Lucas’ links to Life began before her first steps and over the past 25 years have come full circle.
Amy, who shares a 25th birthday with Life this year, was born following her parents’ fertility treatment at the NHS Newcastle Fertility Centre on site.
Growing up Amy enjoyed frequent visits to the science centre with her family, and it was during this time that she was inspired to go into a career in science.
And after studying Archaeology and Anthropology to master’s level, Amy is now working at Life delivering science clubs to school children across the region.
Amy said: “I have known about my links to Life from a very early age as my parents told me that me and my younger brother were born because of fertility treatment here. Every time we drove past Life my mam would say ‘you and your brother would not be here if it wasn’t for Life’.
“We would constantly be at the science centre growing up – we would love spending the day in the centre and I was fascinated by the exhibits and shows.
“I never thought of science as something remote or difficult, it was just part of the world I grew up in.
“Coming to the centre was such fun and made me realise that science is such a broad field and not just the stereotypical image of people in labs wearing white coats.”
These formative experiences shaped Amy’s academic interests leading her to study forensics at college before going to Durham University to study Archaeology and Anthropology as an undergraduate and then completing a master’s in Forensic Archaeology and Forensic Anthropology.
Soon after graduating, Amy joined the Life Science Centre team, helping deliver science club activities.
Her work involves going out to schools where children, from Key Stage 1 to 3, have less opportunities to engage with science.
“The clubs help to break down the barriers to science, tackling topics like human senses and natural disasters, ensuring science is relevant to kids’ lives.
“It’s great to see how engaged they become and so many say at the end that they want to go into science – they’re not sure what area but you can see that their interest has been ignited, and they see science as something for them.
“It’s all about showing people that there are so many pathways into science – you don’t have to be really super smart – you just need an interest in science, dedication and commitment”
As Life and Amy celebrate their 25th birthdays, her story is one of many that highlights the broader social and educational impact of Life’s work.
“Coming full circle and working at Life gives me a real sense of pride. My mam often says that Life is the only reason she has a family and without it I know I wouldn’t be here – to be working here now helping schoolchildren discover an interest in science and feel that it is an option for them, is something very special.”
Life is celebrating 25 years! We’ve been reminiscing about some of our favourite memories since we opened and would love to hear yours!
