Members of the LMB showcased their research at the Peterborough STEM Festival with hands-on microscopy activities.
On Saturday 18th October, the LMB contributed to the Peterborough STEM Festival, engaging over 375 visitors with hands-on activities that revealed the hidden beauty and complexity of biology.
Members of the LMB delivered a two-part experience tailored to different age groups. Younger children and their families became “Science Detectives,” using stereomicroscopes to examine real biological specimens including beetles, butterflies, fruit flies, and flowers. Each station featured a matching game using cropped microscope images, encouraging children to identify specimens and explore the concept of biological scale and the tools scientists use to investigate it.
Older children and adults explored the cutting-edge research taking place at the LMB. Participants viewed samples from LMB’s scientists under compound microscopes, physical models, visuals and descriptions of current research, including brain organoids, neurodegenerative diseases, circadian rhythms and connectomics.
When asked about what they have learned some of the youngest participants answered:
“Under a microscope even really small things look really big!”
“Cuts heal quicker during the day”
“I had never seen human cells before”
“I learnt how to use a microscope and I’m only four!”
“Scientists can grow a brain”
The event provided a fantastic opportunity to highlight how scientists study life at the microscopic level. The activities were delivered by volunteers Lisa Kashammer, Arthur Radoux, Julie Miesch, Ritika Chatterjee, Aymen al-Rawi, Christine Desroches, Chisato Tsuji, and Yan Liao. They were coordinated by the Public Engagement team and Tomas Azevedo from the LMB Light Microscopy Facility, who commented: “It was truly a pleasure be able to see the interest people showed in the research that we do at the LMB! At many times our participants would ask further questions (sometimes quite challenging!) or show very insightful information about the topics. And the great thing (which is a crucial point in these activities) is that the excitement and interest shown is irrespective of age group.”
Further references
Peterborough STEM Festival
LMB Public Engagement
LMB highlights the scale of molecular biology at the Cambridge Festival