Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) celebrated a day of science research with a festival for London school kids.
The festival, aimed at secondary schools and young people interested in a career in science and medicine, was held at QMUL’s Mile End campus on the 21 June.
Students from schools across London attended the seventh edition of the festival which was supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), the Biomedical Research Centre (Barts BRC), the NHS Trust and Trials Connect.
Exhibitors at the festival included Let’s talk hearts (free heart talks for the general public supported by the BRC), the Centre of the Cell, Bart’s Health Trust, Sports and Exercise Medicine (QMUL) and the UCL Centre for Adolescent Rheumatology. Students joined in on visual and hands-on demonstrations of how some brain power cells (mitochondria) work and how ultrasound is used to diagnose arthritis and see the ‘inside’ of our joints using medical equipment.
Jane Batchelor, Centre and Events Manager at QMUL’s William Harvey Research Institute and co-organiser of the Science Festival, said: “I thought this year's festival was really lively and fun with a variety of speakers and exhibition stands. I would like to say thank you to everyone - attendees, volunteers, staff and exhibitors, who helped to make the event a success.”
Talks were given by the Centre of the Cell, Dr Tippu Sheriff on ‘Chemistry is Kool’ and Dr Michael R Barnes on ‘Your Genome and You’. Students participated in live experiments using carbon monoxide, teaching science in a fun and inclusive way.
Ron Collins, volunteer from the William Harvey Research Institute, said: “In between talks the children, and adults, visited and thoroughly enjoyed the stalls. It looked like they were having immense fun and when I made the rounds I was very impressed with the way the exhibitors made such complex matters understandable to even the youngest children and me!”
Established by the Department of Health, the NIHR funds high quality research to improve health, trains and supports health researchers, provides world-class research facilities, works with the life sciences industry and charities to benefit all and involves patients and the public at every step.
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