The Chief Scientific Officer’s prestigious Healthcare Science Ambassadors Award was presented to a very excited Don Henderson, founder and chairman of the Annual Schools Science Conference. Don accepted the award on behalf of the Organising Group and the many Healthcare volunteers responsible for making these conferences so informative and stimulating. The conferences are designed to inspire, enthuse and stimulate secondary school students to study science. They provide an informal setting for students to meet scientists, and to learn what they do and what excites them about science. They give the students hands on experience of science, demonstrating the importance of science in health and everyday life. The conferences showcase many of the myriad careers open to those who study science and show that the NHS is much more than doctors and nurses.
The award was presented at the gala dinner for the CSO Conference in November. Don said “…this was just like winning an Oscar. Success was not down to the work of one individual but to the drive and enthusiasm of many. I am pleased to accept the award on behalf of the organising committee and the many healthcare volunteers. It is a mark of success that the Annual Schools Science Conference won the award at this year’s event celebrating 60 years of Healthcare Science and the NHS.”
The Annual Schools Science Conferences to enthuse and inspire school students to study science are now in their 6th year. The next will be held on March 12th 2009 The conferences grew out of concern about the numbers of students studying science and the impact that this will have on Britain’s intelligence based economy. They are a unique vehicle for stimulating students and letting them know about the exciting and rewarding career opportunities available. These events facilitate informal interaction with professional scientists and allied health professionals talking about and showing what excites them about science and their chosen profession. Initially, NW London SHA’s Workforce Confederation funded this project with the ultimate aim of being able to recruit from the local community. For the past 4 years, the conferences have been self financing from a mixture of grants, donations and sponsorships. This has opened up the conference to schools across London and scientists from professions outside of the NHS. Over 400, year 10-14, students attend along with their teachers (>50) and over 120 scientists and health professionals provide the programme. Every year the conference develops and improves by building upon previous successes and feedback from the students, teachers and presenters. In 2008, the www.science4u.info website was created to support the conference and to host a virtual laboratory. Elements of the conference continue on the website. These include the student reporter competition, quiz, photographs and presentations from the day. The conference puts the study of science into practical context inspiring and motivating the students. Teachers are reporting that students are citing the conference in university and job applications.
The theme of the 6th conference is Facing Science in Health and Life, with
central presentations about space age science and about “Saving Faces” describing
the wonderful improvements in plastic reconstruction. The title, also,
allows presenters and students to:
• face backwards to explore the legacy from the great scientists from
the past, and
• face forward to cutting edge developments and future prospects.
The volunteers will highlight important historical advances that have
helped the advancement of their discipline, highlighting that advancements
in one area frequently lead to major advances in other areas. The Conference
is a mixture of short lectures, hands-on demonstrations, and interactive workshops.
If any reader would like to get involved, please see www.science4u.info or email sharon.gage@srgprojectmanagement.co.uk
Don Henderson is a Consultant Clinical Scientist in the Immunology Department of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, based at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. He is an enthusiastic advocate of the public engagement with science. He is passionate about the communication of science and he is keen that scientists from all backgrounds are given the opportunity to develop to their full potential. For the Annual Schools Science Conferences he has pulled together a highly motivated organising group of scientists and specialists from many different areas, including a highly competent events organiser, Sharon Gage.