Serving Society

Science & Society Programme

Babraham’s vibrant Science & Society Programme offers a broad range of events for people of all ages and backgrounds. We aim to provide a better understanding and appreciation of the Institute’s research, its applications and the implications these advances have for society. As life science technology leaps forward at an unprecedented rate, there has never been a greater need for effective communication by the scientific community and engagement with society. We provide a forum for dialogue with our stakeholders, to better understand public concerns about biomedical breakthroughs to ensure that these may be translated into innovations to improve global healthcare. The Institute has taken a pivotal role, regionally, delivering events that bring science closer to society and enable pupils to gain valuable insights into the exciting world of biomedical research. In 2007, the Institute’s pioneering work with young people was recognised with the BBC East and EEDA-sponsored ‘Work With Schools’ Large Business award.

Our Schools’ Engagement Programme aims to inspire and enthuse young people about science and to encourage them to follow careers in science. We work with all ages from pre-school to 6th form and across the breadth of the educational spectrum. We have steadily increased the number and depth of our interactions with schools and develop new initiatives to promote science in schools; most notably, 2007 saw the launch of Babraham’s one-week Bioscience Boot Camp for 6th formers.

Current activities include:

• Schools' Day takes place during National Science Week each year, providing about 140 GCSE students and sixth formers with the chance to experience research alongside ‘real scientists’. We explain how laboratory science works, what scientists do and the societal impact of our research. Pupils spend the day immersed in lab projects involving techniques like microscopy, Polymerase Chain Reaction, cloning and DNA digestion. Discussions over lunch with inspirational role models aim to raise awareness of the diversity of career options a degree in science offers.
• Links between Institute scientists and local primary, secondary and 16+ schools and colleges.
• Talks and evening meetings for local adult societies. Scientists present for 40 minutes on their research, either on-site or as a visitor at the society's meeting place.
• Contacts with local and national scientific and business journalists for dissemination of news through the press
• Regular publications, including a corporate plan and a review of our research.
• Our web site includes information about our science for a general audience, as well as more detailed descriptions of each laboratory's work.

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