Author: Roxanne Lau
At the beginning of the year, most of the Florey students signed up to take part in a new outreach programme as part of the exciting Krebs Festival at the University of Sheffield; a festival combining science and art to honour the life and work of Sir Hans Krebs. Our task was hopefully to inspire 11-14 year olds from various secondary schools around Sheffield and Rotherham to become the next generation of young scientists.
Based on the topic of “Hidden Warfare”, Furaha and I delivered a presentation at Maltby Academy, Rotherham, illustrating how some of our largest battles take place on a microscopic scale: firstly between microbes and the human immune system, and secondly in terms of the constant arms race that takes place between new antibiotics and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. We then explained how the work we do as scientific researchers could help us in the fight against our microbial enemies.
Taking on board everything we said, the students looked enthusiastic as they set out to create a mini film over the next six months in collaboration with local artist, Steve Pool.
The culmination of all their hard work was finally displayed on the evening of the 10th November in Firth Court, during the Krebs Festival Schools Night. It was exhilarating to see all the films made by the participating schools projected on a huge scale outdoors in Firth Court Quad. Also, each school gave a short presentation about their film to a panel of judges as part of a competition.
Meanwhile, we also had a chance to look around at the fantastic public engagement that took place in Firth Hall.
At the beginning of the year, most of the Florey students signed up to take part in a new outreach programme as part of the exciting Krebs Festival at the University of Sheffield; a festival combining science and art to honour the life and work of Sir Hans Krebs. Our task was hopefully to inspire 11-14 year olds from various secondary schools around Sheffield and Rotherham to become the next generation of young scientists.
Based on the topic of “Hidden Warfare”, Furaha and I delivered a presentation at Maltby Academy, Rotherham, illustrating how some of our largest battles take place on a microscopic scale: firstly between microbes and the human immune system, and secondly in terms of the constant arms race that takes place between new antibiotics and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. We then explained how the work we do as scientific researchers could help us in the fight against our microbial enemies.
Taking on board everything we said, the students looked enthusiastic as they set out to create a mini film over the next six months in collaboration with local artist, Steve Pool.
The culmination of all their hard work was finally displayed on the evening of the 10th November in Firth Court, during the Krebs Festival Schools Night. It was exhilarating to see all the films made by the participating schools projected on a huge scale outdoors in Firth Court Quad. Also, each school gave a short presentation about their film to a panel of judges as part of a competition.
Meanwhile, we also had a chance to look around at the fantastic public engagement that took place in Firth Hall.
Ice cream was instantly frozen using liquid nitrogen and served up.
Watch our very own Simon Johnston and Simon Foster attempt the precarious walk on custard, a non-Newtonian fluid.
The giant inflatable structure of E. coli, designed by artist Luke Jerram, can be seen suspended over Firth Hall. At 28 metres long, it is over 10 million times the size of real E. coli bacteria.
Equally spectacular was the massive origami model of Green Fluorescent Protein, taking an impressive 7 weeks in total to build. Artist, Seiko Kinoshita, was on hand that night to show us how she made each building block by precisely folding pieces of paper into 3D shapes.
The night ended with the announcement of the awards and Furaha and I were extremely delighted and proud to hear that our school, Maltby Academy, won the prize for the best presentation.
All in all, KrebsFest was definitely a success!
All in all, KrebsFest was definitely a success!
The other outreach projects by Florey students at KrebsFest
"Horizontal gene transfer" by Daria (and Rebecca Hodges) : Hope Valley College
"Anyfin is possible" by Ben and Kyle : Meadowhead School
"Bacteria: Friend or Foe?" by Chloe and Emily : St Mary's Catholic High School
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