Me my health and my children's health. (360G-Wellcome-087151_Z_08_Z)

This project aims to provide secondary school students in Southampton with a deeper understanding of how they can improve their own health and the health of their future children under a framework of 'Me, my health and my children's health'. The project tests a new method of student and teacher participation in order to tackle some of the biggest contemporary health issues facing young people. This approach involves giving the students first-hand experience of modern biomedical practices carried out in their local hospital. To stimulate interest and excitement, and encourage new ways of thinking about biomedical science, these will be practical activities based at the university using authentic hospital equipment, clear links will be made to the school curriculum in partnership with Southampton City Council, and a scheme of work will be written for future use by other schools. The programme will enable students and teachers to explore the latest scientific techniques that cannot be taught in schools, and will include professional development for the teachers. There will be a half-day event at which students will present their work and engage in informed debate about these important socio-scientific issues in front of parents/guardians and invited members of the community. The project will also include professional training for science teachers to enhance formal and informal learning about the issues and maximise the impact on the students. The project will be rigorously evaluated throughout, and findings will be disseminated by means of a half-day conference for science teachers, educators and researchers.