Dear all,
A long time ago we agreed that the department and the Proteus research consortium (roughly the department) would be willing to run some sessions for school visitors as part of the university science day with "hands-on" science events for groups of high school students.
Due to a number of communication problems we did not find our whether we were accepted until late and did not find out whether any schools signed up to visit our events until very late.
We now have the numbers and have to organize things for 10 groups of students of up to 27 students for 50 minutes each between the two events we agreed to host in September.
A number of people came up with ideas originally which we combined into two broad events, one based primarily on protein structure (entitled in the end Kiteytä proteiini) and one based more on biochemical functions of proteins (entitled in the end Proteiinit toimnassa).
The original idea was that both would have multiple hands-on things to do, plus demonstrations and explanations etc, but we now have very limited time to turn this into action. The group sizes are also larger than I was expecting and the time shorter (I half-remember the original being one hour sessions, but groups need to be able to get between different parts of the university for the different events).
This is a very important part of community service, interacting with the public and promoting our subject (both generally AND to try to get future students), we need to do it well.
I would like to have a meeting, next Tuesday 20th August at 11am in BK226C to try to start to brainstorm to put some flesh on the bones. I hope that everyone who originally proposed ideas is able to come (or send a rep) and that everyone else interested in helping out can also attend. We need both planning and ideas, preparation and implementation on the day.
This is all quite last minute, but with enough support I am sure - as always - the department will shine.
Best wishes,
Lloyd