Biochemical Society, Education & careers, Student-focused

Getting in2science

By Joy Aston, in2scienceUK

In2Science helps young people from low income backgrounds progress to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers with the aim to not only improve social mobility, but also encourage a more diverse and inclusive culture within the sector. We work by leveraging the STEM community to host bespoke two-week work placements, matching students with active researchers in academia and industry. In2scienceUK coordinators also provide all the students with university access workshops and careers guidance.

Continue reading Getting in2science

Biochemical SocietyNovember 9, 2017November 10, 2017Leave a comment

Biochemical Society, Education & careers, Science communication & public engagement

Dirty Dopers, cheating or competing?

By Cassandra Terry, Jessica Sells, Elizabeth Sawyer & Claire Sarell from University College London

To coincide with the 2016 Olympics still being fresh in many children’s memories, we designed an activity called ‘Dirty Dopers, cheating or competing?’ which focused on the biochemistry behind performance enhancing drugs in sport.

Biochemical SocietyMay 9, 2017May 18, 2017Leave a comment

Biochemical Society, Education & careers, Science communication & public engagement

Empowering the adults of the future

By Patricia Bernal, Imperial College London

On a cold winter day in London on January 2017, Native Scientist celebrated a warm science outreach event for children in partnership with the Embassy of Ecuador in London. The meeting took place in the Ecuadorian Consulate located near King’s Cross St. Pancras in the very heart of the city of London. The event brought together 25 Ecuadorian pupils and 5 Spanish-speaking scientists from different disciplines.

Scientists used their mother tongue to explain to the children in an engaging and fun way the work they are currently performing in the United Kingdom. The workshop allowed the scientists to improve their communication skills and increase the impact of their research in a welcome environment. Continue reading “Empowering the adults of the future”

Biochemical SocietyFebruary 24, 2017April 24, 2017Leave a comment

Education & careers, Partner organizations, Science communication & public engagement

Investigating zebrafish with in2scienceUK

By Benjamin Simpson, Shenfield High School, Essex, UK

When I arrived at the lab, the first thing I noticed was how casual everything was. Even the principal investigator arrived at about 11am. I expected to find a strict regime of when to arrive, what to do and what to wear. Anna and Nikki were my supervisors in the Attwell lab at University College London. My project involved using zebrafish to investigate the development of myelin (a substance which is wrapped around neurons to increase conductivity). Zebrafish are especially useful because they are transparent allowing us to view the development under a microscope without harming the fish or embryo. On the first day of my placement they were only a few hours post fertilisation and so were still just a bundle of cells on a yolk. I learnt how to maintain the embryos through filtering out the dead ones and changing the water. Continue reading “Investigating zebrafish with in2scienceUK”