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The value of interactions ‘Meet the Scientist’

The value of interactions ‘Meet the Scientist’. Kathryn Woods-Townsend 28 th February 2013. & School of Medicine. Theme of LifeLab is Me, My Health & My Children’s Health, based on developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) research and MRC Southampton Women’s Survey findings

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The value of interactions ‘Meet the Scientist’

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  1. The value of interactions ‘Meet the Scientist’ Kathryn Woods-Townsend 28th February 2013

  2. & School of Medicine

  3. Theme of LifeLab is Me, My Health & My Children’s Health, based on developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) research and MRC Southampton Women’s Survey findings • LifeLab is going to be an interactive hands-on classroom laboratory facility based at Southampton General Hospital • There is the potential for ~5000 student visits per year • Programmes are tailored to reach boys and girls of all abilities, initially focusing on 11-14 year olds.

  4. LifeLab aims to provide school students with opportunities to: • Learn about how they can improve their own health and the health of their future children through increased health & science literacy. • Experience some of the latest exciting developments in science, and focus on understanding how our early lives affect our later health. • Become enthusiastic about science, and consider further study and careers in scientific disciplines.

  5. Meet the Scientist • Short session in the middle of the day • Students meet with 2 scientists • Small groups (6/7 students) • 15mins with each scientist • Informal discussion

  6. Meet the Scientist • Variety of scientists involved: • 1 PhD student • 9 “classical” scientists – including post-docs, lecturers • 2 “applied” scientists – radiographer, ultrasonographer • 5 professors • 1 technical scientist – lab manager • 6 less “classical” scientists – Research nurses, nutritionist, psychologist, engagement officer

  7. Meet the Scientist • Variety of scientists involved: • Cancer research • Heart disease • Nutrition • Placenta • Bioengineering • Genetics • Asthma research • Bone and joint research

  8. What words would you use to describe scientists?

  9. What, if anything, surprised you about the scientists?

  10. "Students have really experienced something outside the classroom, they don’t get to see scientists in the “real” world. The “Meet the Scientist” session was great. Showed the students the diverse roles you can have as a scientist, fantastic for students to experience that - some have gone off thinking “I can do that” Dara Nagle – Science Teacher, Cantell Maths and Computing College “Being able to meet and talk to scientists helped them understand how science really works and this led them to consider careers they were not previously aware of or had ruled out.” Kathryn Moles, Assistant Headteacher, Hounsdown School

  11. Meet a Scientist • How do you think school students and YOU will benefit from a session such as “meet a scientist”? • They will get the opportunity to see how they can become a scientist, what it involves on a daily basis and also find out that most scientists are quite normal! • I hope it will inspire children so that they can to connect the science they do in school and see how they can progress to a career in science, even if they are not science oriented. • Think it will be interesting rather than benefit myself. • No real benefit to me – more a case of trying to encourage normal kids to become scientists • I will (hopefully) be able to explain in non-specialised language what I do, which is an excellent quality for grant applications etc. • Might help me to develop further my lay communication skills and remind me of why I have chosen to do what I do.

  12. Meet a Scientist • What were your thoughts about the session? • The genuine interest shown by the majority surprised me!! • I thought the students would be more interested in the career path to becoming a scientist and less so in the actual science. I think they were just as interested in science and in giving them that information it may spur them into scientific careers. • reminded me of why I have chosen to do what I do. • Just emphasised the feeling that these sessions really expose them to the diversity of science • ‘… probably how nice the kids were, I thought they would be talking or something but they were generally quite interested and quite focused…’ • ‘…it will definitely benefit you in a way that you probably won’t realise at the time.…’

  13. Conclusions • Meeting “real” scientists is hugely positive • Meeting “real” scientists normalises science for them • Who are “real” scientists… • Students enjoy discussing science (and having their opinions valued) • Preparation for scientists and students

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