SCIENCE has taken over Poole’s pop-up shop for the first time with a temporary lab installed in the empty High Street store.

The shop’s latest role will last until February 21, and allow people to discover how things work.

Explora Science Lab visitors can take part in hands-on experiments, make electrical energy, investigate hydro-electric power or learn about food energy levels.

Children are invited to be a boffin for a day with daily workshops booked by schools and groups, while half-term week allows other residents to explore the lab.

The two-week taster provided free by Borough of Poole, is part of a wider project to obtain £9.5m support to set up a permanent science centre in Dorset.

“We’re keen to start engaging with the people of Poole and get them enthused about a new visitor attraction that will not only offer a great day out, but help sti-mulate enthusiasm for science,” said trustee Caroline Galpin.

“Long-term it will help foster strong links with science, technology and engineering and provide a viable springboard into a career in these fields.”

The project team is working on costs, a site and funders to enable the project to go ahead and provide a permanent science discovery centre to inspire and engage visitors of all ages and abilities.

Popping into the lab costs £2 per person and it has been funded by a grant from the Royal Society of Chemistry, with supporting funding from Perenco and equipment from the @Bristol science centre.