Inspiring Future Scientists

Erin McCann Research Nurse, Clinical Research Team and Vanessa Grant, Acting HCS Team Manager (Training Lead), Microbiology Department were two of the local staff who supported this year’s Stirling Science Festival.

As part of the week-long festival, they attended an event at the Thistles Shopping Centre to demonstrate a UV Hand Washing station, and provide information on microbiology, biomedical science and careers at Forth Valley Royal Hospital. A total of 306 children and 379 adults visited their stall and got involved.

Vanessa Grant, said: “It was a fab day, with loads of kids taking part and getting to wear their own (although rather large) laboratory coats and safety goggles so hopefully we managed to inspire some future scientists.”

Hosted by Stirling Council, the festival featured a host of exciting activities on the theme ‘Innovations: Past, Present and Future’; from Glasgow Science Centre’s fun-packed live shows and interactive touring exhibitions ‘Powering the Future’ and ‘FitLab’, to science shows, nature trails, fossil hunting and storytelling.

There were also a growing number of engaging lectures and talks aimed at adults, including Edinburgh Neuroscience’s ‘Understanding the Brain and Mental Health’.

In addition to the festival, local school pupils had an opportunity to explore some exciting STEM activities hosted by school science departments during a special knowledge sharing day.