Biology Zone, Cambridge Science Festival, Discussion Events, Schools' Visits and Outline. (360G-Wellcome-087934_Z_08_Z)

We plan new participative Biology Zone activities at the Cambridge Science Festival in March 2009, as well as research into the impact of biomedical public engagement in science festival settings. Through school visits, a large open hands-on activity day and online interactive content, audio and video material, the Biology Zone will engage school pupils, young people and adults with interactive presentations, demonstrations, and take-home activities on the health, social and ethical dimensions of advances in biomedical science. These will include genetic research, stem cell research, the effects of pharmaceutical drugs on the body, nutrition, cancer research, psychology and neuroscience, epidemiology, biostatistics, pathology, biochemistry, and physiology. Together with the Institute of Public Health, we will offer a guided walk: '8 centuries of death and disease in Cambridge'. Schools visits are planned to focus on schools which receive less science outreach, with scientists visiting schools and school groups visiting the University and research partners. We will offer at least four evening public discussions on biomedical issues. These will include a café scientifique on the ethics of brain imaging, a panel discussion on Alzheimer's research, a presentation on Darwin as a global phenomenon, and an insight into research into consciousness. We plan to run workshops bridging alternative health and scientific pharmacology. Dr Jenny Koenig plans workshops for complementary health practitioners, members of the public and school pupils on two topics: 'herbal weight-loss treatments' and 'medicines for pain and inflammation'