Submitted by J. Grosse on Tue, 04/03/2025 - 10:49
During February half term we welcomed the latest cohort of sixth-form students to our Inspiring Scientists programme (ISAC/M), run in collaboration with the MRC MBU and St Catharine’s College. This is a widening participation programme, aimed at giving students who would otherwise have difficulty accessing such opportunities the chance to spend time with a research lab and in a Cambridge College.
Students spent the week gaining experience in labs, carrying out experiments and having the opportunity to use some of our state-of-the-art equipment. They also spent a day at St Catherine’s College, hearing from the admissions team and student ambassadors about applying to Cambridge and life as an undergraduate in College. At the end of the day students presented the results of their time in the lab in a short talk. We were so impressed with their confident presentation and with the results they were able to obtain in just a few days. Our researchers work hard to provide a programme of work in the lab that’s achievable and produces real results the students are proud to present.
Students love using equipment they wouldn't come across at school- here Leyla is doing some fluorescent microscopy
It’s really interesting for us to hear the students’ feedback- many of them are surprised at how messy labs are, and everyone loves using pipettes and mini centrifuges! One of the most satisfying things we hear from many students is that they love how sociable and collaborative the labs are. It’s great to break down preconceptions about working in science and give young people the confidence to pursue careers in science and medicine.
Pipetting is always a big hit! Warishah, Timi & Maerhyn (L-R) get to grips with the technique