Drs Aidan O’Donnell and Petra Schneider, both of the School of Biological Sciences, have been awarded the Tam Dalyell Prize for Excellence in Engaging the Public with Science.
They were recognised for developing a science engagement programme based on their research using mosquitoes, which are responsible for more deaths than any other animal worldwide.
The resources let school pupils experience being a scientist and can also help improve teachers’ confidence in teaching STEM subjects.
They are aimed principally at rural schools with limited access to universities or scientists, providing hands-on activities supported by professional learning for teachers and resource boxes.
Parasite experts
Drs Aidan O’Donnell and Petra Schneider are members of Professor Sarah Reece’s lab in the Institute of Ecology and Evolution.
The team carries out research to uncover the strategies that different parasites – including those that cause malaria – have evolved to cope with the challenges and opportunities of their lifestyle.