Centre for Reproductive Health

Science Insights 2020 – a virtual experience

​​​​​​​Science Insights is an exciting work experience programme designed to give fifth year Scottish high school pupils a true insight into the work and life of research scientists.

The Science Insights committee recognised they could not run Science Insights 2020 as planned, due to the impact of Covid-19. The annual programme was changed into an online format, Science Insights Online, which ran 27-31 July, 2020.

Science Insights provides an opportunity for high school pupils to spend a week of their summer holidays following a varied programme of online activities hosted by staff from four different University of Edinburgh campuses, gaining a real insight into research and work in many different areas of biological, biomedical and animal sciences.

The annual programme – launched in 2014 – now involves all six research institutes in the University of Edinburgh College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, providing access to its cutting-edge facilities and inspiring researchers.

Niamh McNamara (PhD)
Niamh McNamara took part in an online interactive session and Q&A

Activities in Science Insights Online included:

  • Virtual tours of a range of scientific facilities
  • Presentations, workshops and discussions on topics including research ethics, the use of animals in research and careers in science
  • Opportunities for online group chats and Q&A’s with current University of Edinburgh students and researchers
  • Skills session to help with future university applications

Niamh McNamara from the Miron lab at CRH took part in an online interactive session and Q&A on 29.07.20 with a group of secondary school students. She spoke about her research, showed the students her nerve-microglia plant, described her life as a scientist in an honest and captivating way, and received plenty of thought provoking questions from the students.

Professor Richard Anderson took part in the “Science in the News” session on 30.07.20 which included an interview about Richard’s extensive experience of working with the media to publicise his research and an engaging Q&A with sixty students.