Successful Universities Family Visit Day at DIPM
Successful event for refugee and minorities families at the Division of Infection & Pathway Medicine, co-hosted by the University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh Napier University and Multi-Cultural Family Base.
The Division of Infection & Pathway Medicine (DIPM) at the University of Edinburgh welcomed about 20 visitors, all families with children, to its lab at the Chancellor’s Building at Little France on Saturday 24th June 2017.
This widening participation event was organised jointly by the University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh Napier University and Multi-Cultural Family Base.
Five overseas students who are studying at the universities were invited to give presentations on their background, how they got into science, their inspirations and their current field of research. Their experience gave the children an insight into various pathways into higher education.
The children then took part in science-related activities, including a wearable technology activity and got to use real lab equipment called pipette. Through these hands-on activities, the volunteers were able to engage the children and give them a real taste of scientific research.
It was a brilliant event to motivate children towards STEM subjects
The older children and some parents were given a lab tour in the DIPM labs, where they were able to observe cells under the microscope, discuss DNA detection technologies and manufactured their own customised mementos using a laser ablation technique.
The event received positive feedback from all the children and families. They valued the opportunity to experience scientific research at university.
One parent commented “It was a brilliant event to motivate children towards STEM subjects”.
