Trainee scientists enrolled on the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP) spent the day at Exeter University participating in the regional Big Bang Fair, with activities to engage and inspire young people 11-17 years old to take STEM subjects and look to careers within the NHS. STP trainees from hospitals in Exeter, Bristol and Bath representing several specialisms (Genetics, Clinical Bioinformatics, Vascular Sciences and Reconstructive Sciences) enjoyed the day talking to the children and demonstrating the sort of jobs healthcare scientists do, getting the children involved and encouraging them to ask questions. The activities including modelling prosthetics, assembling a genome, examining blood vessels with an ultrasound scanner, extracting DNA from peas and karyotyping socks!
We had a very busy day with lots of students, teachers and home-educating parents from across the South-West region visiting the stand and we think we’ve inspired a few healthcare professionals of tomorrow.
For more information about the Big Bang Fair SW go to http://nearme.thebigbangfair.co.uk/south_west/.
From L-R: Hazel Pearce (Genetics STP), Christopher Curd (Vascular Science STP), Charlotte Tudgay (Genetics STP), Ryan Ward (Vascular Science STP), Verity Fryer (Bioinformatics – Genomics STP), John Hignett (Genetics STP), Laura Hamilton (Medical Student), Stuart Cannon (Bioinformatics – Genomics STP), Amy Davey (Reconstructive Science STP)
