Aberdeen University fosters biology links with schools
Budding biologists at two North-east schools are celebrating after being awarded a total of £4,500 in grants.
Two of the University's postgraduates from the School of Medical Sciences have successfully obtained grants with schools in the region from the Royal Society Partnership Grants Scheme for essential equipment to assist in the teaching of biology. Each school bid for support in a different sector of Biology with principal teachers leading the process of writing the grant applications.
It is hoped that the funding will encourage more schoolchildren to pursue careers in science and engineering.
Dr Ian Stansfield, Senior Lecturer, Molecular and Cell Biology at the University, welcomed the news of the funding being awarded. He said: "I am delighted that school children in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire are set to benefit from the grants being given by the Royal Society, the National Academy of Science. It is vitally important that the University is involved in raising the profile of biological sciences in schools. If we can enthuse school children at an early age, hopefully we will benefit in years to come by encouraging these children to come and study biological sciences at the University of Aberdeen.
"I am keen to facilitate liaison between the local schools and our researchers - the Royal Society grants are an excellent example of how we can progress our links with schools."
First in line to benefit from the grants includes Portlethen Academy, who applied for a Royal Society grant for £2,500 to carry out a project on The Environment, Mini-beasts and Us. The school was one of only 30 successful applicants from across the UK in the sixth round of the Royal Society's Partnership Grants Scheme. Doreen Scotland, Principal Teacher of Biology at Portlethen Academy, explained that the funding would assist with work the school is involved in with the University and the National Trust and would be used to enhance the environment part of 5-14 Environmental Studies. First year pupils will be visiting the Natural History Centre to carry out work on invertebrates; 2nd year pupils will be visiting Drum Castle to do practical ecology and ecological measurements; and the setting up and monitoring of environmental areas, using electronic sensors, in the 1st and 2nd year lab will also be undertaken.
Doreen Scotland said: "This gives us an opportunity to provide a unique experience for our 1st and 2nd year pupils who will see the role of ourselves and mini-beasts in the environment."
Aboyne Academy has also been successful in their application for a Royal Society grant and has been awarded £2,000. Lisa Hooker, Principal Teacher, explained that the funding would be used to provide an ergonometer, heart rate and pulse rate monitors, and breath volume kits to enable 3rd year students to perform investigations into the science of physiology and fitness. The students will get the opportunity to use an ergonometer (a "high tech" exercise bike) which allows accurate monitoring of the pupil's heart rate during exercise. Importantly, the involvement of the University will also bring an opportunity for pupils to work in the classroom alongside a researcher, with expertise in the biomechanics of heart valves. Lisa Hooker, said: "This is a unique opportunity for students to use equipment that would otherwise be unavailable to them and, through the link to the University, access expertise in, and experience of, contemporary scientific research."
Dr Stansfield, added: "All of this helps to enthuse more kids about biology. It is a great way of facilitating developing links between the schools and researchers here at the University of Aberdeen."
Lord May, President of the Royal Society, congratulated Portlethen Academy on securing the grant. He said: "This is an exciting project that will give pupils the chance to work alongside a professional scientist. I hope this experience will inspire more school children to pursue a career in science and engineering."
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