Christmas Science Event - 5th December 2011
Integrating cutting edge medicine and science in a fun and interactive environment, the ICM looked to inspire, inform and excite school children about the opportunities for medical and scientific study and the possibilities of where that study could lead at its first Christmas Science Event in December.
The ‘Science on a Plate’ workshop looked at how our bodies process food and took the students on a journey from molecular biochemistry and quantum physics to disease and lifestyle.
Professor Andy Blamire gave an overview of what happens to food, by watching where the body stores sugars and fats and demonstrated cutting edge magnetic resonance techniques.
Dr Fiona Oakley looked at what happens to cells when we eat, talking to the students about how cells have a way of preserving order in the body, changing the way they work by up and down regulating genes, repairing themselves, and even sending messages between generations. The students then moved onto the microscopes to look at cells beneath the lense.
A question was raised by Dr Mike Trenell about which was most important, fitness or fatness? He talked about how the body is designed to move and demonstrated this through a fully monitored exercise test, with ECG monitoring and real time analysis of respiration.
Six schools, from around the region, attended the first ‘Science on a plate’ workshop and were pleased that the event helped to broaden the student’s overall scientific knowledge and increase their interest in science in its practical application.
ICM Christmas Science Event Gallery
