Jan 2016 Blog Post - Budding scientists get to grips with research skills

ABE-Ireland staff attended the 2016 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition in the RDS, Dublin on Thursday, 7th and Saturday, 9th January to give young science enthusiasts a chance to get hands-on with biomedical research equipment.

Over 250 children, parents and teachers got the opportunity to get to grips with the basics of microvolumetric pipetting and using DNA electrophoresis to solve an imaginary crime as part of the Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE) Ireland stand in the exhibition hall.

The excitement and enthusiasm of the children who participated reinforces the importance of fostering a love of science in children from an early age. It explains the success of large-scale science engagement events such as the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, now in its 52nd year, as well as relative newcomers such as SciFest and the Festival of Curiosity. 

The Amgen Biotech Experience is an innovative science education initiative that provides teacher professional development, teaching materials, and research-grade equipment and supplies to secondary schools. The ABE-Ireland team presented alongside programme partners, the Irish Science Teachers Association (ISTA).  

Now in its second year in Ireland, more than 50 teachers from over 30 schools in Leinster have been trained by ABE Ireland staff in Systems Biology Ireland (UCD) and the Biomedical Diagnostics Institute (DCU) and are now teaching curriculum linked practicals in classroom laboratories.