News

Festival targets scientists, engineers and doctors of the future

(8 April 2005)

Secondary school pupils from across the region will have the chance to explore the some of the exciting aspects of science discovery, engineering innovation and medical knowledge at a major education awareness event at Durham University next week (12th-14th April)

The 2005 Durham Festival of Science Engineering and Medicine follows the successful formula of similar events in recent years and seeks to increase awareness and interest among Year 9 and Year 10 pupils, and to encourage them to pursue higher education course and careers in these areas.

During three days of the festival at the School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (12th-14th April) 850 budding scientists, engineers and doctors from 23 schools across the North East will be able to take part in four “hands on” sessions from a range of 13 activities demonstrated by seven departments in the Science faculty.

Among the activities the youngsters can choose from are a cosmic voyage in a planetarium, a pavement safari looking at microscopic wildlife, a demolition derby, designing a wind turbine or a helicopter hoist, understanding earthquakes and diagnosing illness.

Participating schools from Durham, Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Billingham Marske, Amble, Stockton, Gateshead, South Tyneside, Newcastle, Sedgefield and Yarm will be bringing groups of pupils and accompanying teachers to take part in the two and a half hours sessions.

Dr. Pete Edwards, the University’s Public Understanding of Science Officer based in the Department of Physics, said : “Since the festival was first started in 1995 we have give thousands of young students an introduction to an interesting issue or phenomenon in science or engineering and they can take part ion ‘hands on’ demonstrations and experiments. They will be able to asks questions about the various subjects and hopefully they will go away inspired and encouraged to think about taking up courses of study and careers in these fields.” ends

For further information contact : Dr.Pete Edwards, Understanding of Science Officer, Department of Physics. Tel 0191 334 3782 or e-mail p.j.edwards@durham.ac.uk Media enquiries to : Tom Fennelly, Public Relations Office, University of Durham,Tel 0191 334 6078 or e-mail- @ t.p.fennelly@durham.ac.uk

Notes to editors

1. The School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences at Durham University aims for excellence in teaching and research across the wide range of bioscience; from the population biology of whales to the molecular biology of human genetic disease.

2. The RAE 5 rated department occupies purpose built facilities in the beautiful wooded Mountjoy Park above the main University Science Site in South Road, Durham, as well as playing a major role in the success of the Wolfson Research Institute at the University's Queen's Campus in Stockton.

3. Independently assessed as demonstrating "excellence" in teaching, the School has developed a teaching and learning programme that includes seven undergraduate and two post-graduate degree routes in Biology and Biomedicine. It also supports teaching programmes in Natural Sciences, Environmental Sciences and Medicine.