National Science & Engineering Week

Xchange newsletter - Winter 2006/2007

This year's National Science and Engineering Week (9-18 March) will be a celebration of science, engineering and technology involving hundreds of thousands of participants across the UK.

Events include the 4th Annual Schools Science Conference and Fair, to be held at Kensington Town Hall, sponsored by Abbott. Organiser Dr Don Henderson, Imperial College, explains, "Our objective is, through engagement with healthcare professionals, to highlight the importance of studying science and mathematics and to attract students into healthcare careers other than becoming doctors and nurses." Around 400 students will attend (from years 9-13). "As well as science and maths, we are also keen to get English students involved as clear scientific and medical communication is a vital skill."

Last year's delegates said:

• I have learnt of other fields in science which are not commonly heard of but are significant in our health system
• Biomedical Scientists are "uber-cool" people who deserve more credit than they are given
• I knew there were bad effects from smoking but did not know they were that bad!  Can you give my dad more pictures to look at so he knows what smoking is actually doing to him!