Schoolchildren discover power of genetics at Leicester
From discovering dead kings to solving murders - 600 schoolchildren learn how science changes lives
Hundreds of schoolchildren will turn into super sleuths at our University using genetics to crack codes and unravel mysteries.
A ‘whodunit’ riddle will challenge the youngsters from Leicestershire and beyond when they learn to use DNA techniques to solve a riddle and find a murderer.
From the invention of DNA fingerprinting to the identification of King Richard III, genetics is a key strength at the University of Leicester. Now a new generation of genetic hunters are to be inspired by the world-class expertise of the University.
600 Year 9 schoolchildren and their teachers are expected to descend on the University on September 12 and 13 for Dynamic DNA 2018. This is the biggest public engagement event organised by the College of Life Sciences at the University.
Dr Cas Kramer, the College’s Head of Public Engagement, said: “Co-ordinating and running Dynamic DNA is a big task which involves 80 of our staff and students. Not just our academics and lab technicians but also undergraduates and postgraduates who benefit from the day by gaining valuable science communication experience. Some of these University of Leicester students may go on to be science teachers – and some of the pupils who attended the event may go on to be University of Leicester students.”
Dynamic DNA, which has been running since 2006, is just one of numerous schools outreach activities organised at the University of Leicester every year, spreading our mission to foster enquiring minds beyond our campus to the young people of Leicester and Leicestershire.