Sixth-form students have visited the University of Bradford to have their say on plans for a new centre for science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem) that will be used by up to 4,000 pupils in the district each year.

The Centre, which is due to be completed next January, is part of a £3 million scheme by the university to raise attainment by providing laboratory and resource space for schools and colleges.

To ensure the opinions and ideas of pupils are heard, the Building Stem at Bradford team is running a series of Student Voice events for pupils to discuss the types of equipment to be available at the centre and the sorts of events that will be held there.

Project manager Janet Midgley said: “We are working closely with schools so we can understand what they need and so the pupils have a stake in the scheme and get used to coming to campus.

“We want to make sure that what we deliver here is very much hand in hand with what the education system needs. We are helping pupils achieve better results in their GCSEs and A-levels so they can go on to study Stem subjects at degree level and also help increase scientific literacy.”

Among pupils taking part in the discussion was Dixons Allerton Academy pupil Umar Jamil, 17. He said: “At school it’s about passing exams but the centre will be able to show you how you can use scientific skills in the real world.”