On 29 July, we once again welcomed families to University Parks and the Museum of Natural History for a day of fun science-focussed activities for children and their care-givers. Science in the Park is an annual free event run by DPAG’s Outreach and Public Engagement Working Group (OPEWG) which attracts lots of people, many of whom return each year to try new activities and learn more about science and current research.
Despite the rain, visitors and volunteers really enjoyed the day. We were again joined by colleagues from the Centre for Medicines Discovery, and the KOALA study, and new for this year Biochemistry, and were able to offer a wide range of activities; including testing balance, exploring the blood-brain barrier, creating neurons and brain hats, delving into microscopy and the colour of blood, trying hook-a-duck to understand ‘lazy eye’, and learning how medicines are created. Children also enjoyed trying activities from the STEM Dorado Science magazine.
One visitor commented, 'It was very well organised and our grandson enjoyed it very much. Thank you to all the organisers and researchers who were so welcoming and enthusiastic.'
As always, special thanks go to our volunteers from across DPAG who made this event possible: Rabeah Abdul Razak, Beatriz Campos Codo, Louise Cotterell, Kiara Delos Santos, Matthias Fritsche, Emma Haberman, Saiyma Iqbal, Kathi Lotter, Jessica Moretti, Sharmila Rajendran, Christophe Ravaud, Andia Redpath, Hugo Ribeiro Fernandes, Hannah Simm, Hadas Sloin, Lili Som, and Sunjin Uhm. We would also like to thank our fabulous Facilities colleagues who made quick work of set up and break down: Nick Adam, Charlie Bennett-Froude, Diego Bueno Montoya, Daniel Heaton and Darren Smith, and to Sean Nightingale for providing First Aid Cover.
Thanks also to our collaborators from CMD, Biochemistry and the KOALA study, and to our visitors for making the day so enjoyable, and for testing our researchers with your interesting and insightful questions. What colour is Greek God blood?
We look forward to SITP2026, which we hope will be better than ever!
