Public Engagement Provision (360G-Wellcome-108818_Z_15_A)

The public engagement provision for this research project is an exciting opportunity to create a fully integrated programme linking ongoing paediatric respiratory research with engagement activities for young children. Pre-school children have been identified by theWellcome Trust as an under-served audience for public engagement and this project would make significant advances in addressing this unmet need. We intend to instill in our audience, a sense wonder and fascination for the human body through fun and playful activities that arelikely to have positive long-term impacts on their continued engagement with biomedical science and their own health as they grow up. We will creatively engage children under-five and their families with three key topics relating to lung health: 1)Huffing, Puffing, Blowing and Breathing Anatomy and function of the lungs e.g. how our lungs work during exercise, singing and dancing 2)Bugs, Bogeys, Sneezing and Wheezing Infection, the lung microbiome, the immune system 3)Bits in the Breeze and Worries in the Wind Environmental impacts on lung health e.g. allergies and pollution Through a variety of creative engagement activities using a strong, character-led approach we will explore, communicate and stimulate reflection on these topics and raise awareness of related health issues amongst children and their families on both a factual and emotional level. The scientific topics explored will evolve alongside the research project and through regular collaborative idea generation workshops between project team members.