Centre of the Cell is the first informal science education centre in the world to be located within working biomedical research laboratories. Following a £550,000 refurbishment, the centre is now re-launching its digital immersive STEM Pod with new, state-of-the-art interactive exhibits.
The new resources, including an exciting visual experience, the ‘orchestra of you’, inspired by the rhythms of the human body, bring to life recent scientific advances, will inspire children and young people to learn more about cell biology and medical research, and potentially choose a future career in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).
The refurbishment was funded by an investment of £438,000 from Queen Mary University of London, with an additional £100,000 awarded by the leading UK medical research charity, LifeArc specifically for the ‘orchestra of you’ exhibit which uses innovative projection mapping techniques. Existing hardware and resources were upgraded and re-used wherever possible, making this a uniquely sustainable and cost-effective project.
Professor Fran Balkwill OBE, FMedSci, Director of Centre of the Cell, said: “Our aim at Centre of the Cell is always to excite, inform, and stimulate dialogue about biomedical research amongst children, young people, and families and to inspire the next generation of biomedical scientists and clinicians. Thanks to the investments made by Queen Mary and by LifeArc, these new exhibits will help us tell the story of cells and the latest research in ways that are stimulating and fun.”
Professor Sir Mark Caulfield FMedSci, Vice Principal for Health for Queen Mary University of London’s Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, said: “This transformative upgrade of the Centre of the Cell will excite many more young people about a future career in science and healthcare and is key to our ambition to be the most inclusive university anywhere and open the doors to opportunity”.
Stéphane Maikovsky, Interim CEO of LifeArc, said: “LifeArc is proud to support the refurbishment of Centre of the Cell to help bring to life the fascinating world of science and technology for children and young people. It is something we truly value because inspiring the next generation of scientists and innovators is key to tackling major challenges in healthcare such as developing cures for conditions like motor neuron disease, or Alzheimer’s, or re-thinking how we can use our own immune systems to target diseases like cancer. We need more people studying science to make a difference.”
Centre of the Cell’s STEM Pod is an interactive science experience for ages 7 and above. The state-of-the-art immersive show features films, gaming and learning, and is supported by expert ‘explainers’ and often at least one medical or dental student and/or scientist to answer visitors’ questions about science and careers.
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