The MRC at the BA Festival of Science September 2006
The BA Festival of Science brought over 400 scientists together at one of the UK’s biggest science festivals with over 200 events to inform and entertain people of all ages and interests. Over the summer, the MRC helped to capture the imagination of schoolchildren in Norwich by creating a ‘Healthy Living’ classroom project about the human body and the importance of keeping healthy, which involved 1700 children aged 8-12 years in 14 schools across the city. The workshops used art to make science more exciting and were led by Dr Lizzie Burns and a team of scientists from the region. The resulting collages were inspired by research at the MRC Epidemiology Unit in Cambridge and were exhibited at the BA Festival of Science.
A big draw at the Festival was the hands-on exhibition which attracted thousands of pupils and families. MRC scientists worked with Lizzie Burns to bring medical subjects to life using colourful dough. Visitors got messy creating viruses, cells and organs inspired by images from the biological world. Rave reviews from the youngsters included ‘an inspiring way to learn’ and ‘the best stand, ever’!
The BA medical sciences section presidential session ‘The seven ages of man’ was chaired by Dr Nick Wareham, Director, MRC Epidemiology Unit who introduced speakers on the epidemiology of each age group. Dr Hazel Inskip talked about anti-natal and post-natal life when some of the most common and most serious disorders of later life have their origins. Dr Ulf Ekelund addressed the importance of physical activity in childhood and adolescence. Professor Kay-Tee Khaw examined diet and chronic disease and opportunities for preventive action and Dr Felicia Huppert discussed how the preservation of physical, cognitive and social functioning helps to maintain wellbeing in later life.
Special thanks to the MRC scientists who took part, who were Sarah Cooper, Kanthi Ms, Elizabeth Barry, Joanna Gambell, Richard Shannon, Charlotte Ridgway, Aine McCarron, Aoife Feeney, Nicholas Dickens, Louise Aston, Fiona Maciver and Helen Travis