Centre of the Cell puts kids in the middle of research
3 September 2009
The Centre of the Cell, based at Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, part of Queen Mary, University of London, aims to give children and teenagers an insight into what scientists actually do and how their work influences real life.
It features interactive games and virtual experiments, including the chance to use high-power microscopes for diagnosing disease and observing real body parts.
Part-funded by a Capital Award from the Wellcome Trust, the centre itself is a giant orange pod suspended within the atrium of the glass Blizard Building in Whitechapel, East London. Visitors approach the pod via a colourful glass walkway and upon entering they can look down at the scientists working in the building's laboratories. A central 'nucleus' forms a hub for the interactive games and an audiovisual display - projecting images around the walls of the pod - that introduces visitors to the concept of cells.
Visitors in each school session will have the chance to meet researchers based at the medical school and ask them questions about their work. All of the scientific content at the centre is based on medical research conducted at Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry.
"The aim of the centre is to inspire young people to take an interest in science, to improve their knowledge of science and perhaps to lead them to becoming scientists themselves one day," said Professor Fran Balkwill, Director of Centre of the Cell and a cancer researcher in the School of Medicine and Dentistry.
"This is a unique way for kids to get engaged with science. There's a lot to learn about science here and children will learn in a way that's meaningful and fun."
Centre of the Cell is free to visit and is aimed at children and young people aged 9-16. Topics covered are linked to the National Curriculum at Key Stages 2, 3 and 4.
Image: Interactive games at the Centre of the Cell. Credit:Centre of the Cell