Bringing art and science together
Combining science with art and creativity, the workshop encouraged pupils to ask questions, explore how medicines are discovered and develop their own ideas. The workshop was designed to engage pupils with a wide range of interests, including those who might not normally think of themselves as enjoying science.
Dr Burns, a science-based artist, began by asking the pupils whether they would prefer an art or a science lesson. Around 90% chose art. She then used her paintings to take the class on a journey through different scales in biology and medicine—from the heart and blood cells to viruses and medicines as tiny molecules.
The artworks provided a starting point for questions and conversations about the human body, health and disease, before introducing the central theme of the workshop: medicines.
Pupils explored questions such as: Why do we need medicines? What are medicines made from? Where do they come from?
The group discussed how people have used plants as medicines for thousands of years, as well as examples of animals using natural materials for apparent medicinal purposes. They also considered how plants contain many different chemicals—some beneficial and some potentially harmful—and how pharmacologists study these substances, identify active molecules and help develop safe and effective medicines.
Students then put some of these ideas into practice through a series of creative activities.
Activity 1: Match the medicine and disease
Working in groups, pupils were given six diseases and conditions and challenged to match each one with a medicine that could be used to treat it.
The cards, designed by Dr Martucci and featuring molecular illustrations by Dr Burns, introduced examples including allergies and hay fever, colds, heart disease, diabetes, meningitis and urinary tract infections.
The activity encouraged pupils to discuss what different medicines do and how they can help us when we are unwell.
Activity 2: Imagine a medicine of the future
Next came a challenge with no single right answer: invent a new medicine for the future.
Pupils could create a medicine for an existing disease—or imagine an entirely new illness that might need treating. They considered what their medicine would do, how it might be discovered, whether it could have side effects and, of course, what it should be called.
They then brought their ideas to life by creating models of their medicines, placing them in plastic test tubes and designing labels and information cards to accompany them.
The activity brought together scientific thinking and imagination, giving pupils the freedom to explore their own ideas about what future medicines might look like.
Activity 3: Meet a scientist
An important part of the workshop was simply giving young people the opportunity to meet and talk to scientists in their own classroom.
Students could ask questions about medicines and the human body, as well as what it is like to work in science. Meeting researchers offered an opportunity to discover more about scientific careers and the people behind research.
The conversations were valuable for our researchers too, giving them experience of discussing their work and scientific ideas with young audiences.
What did students think?
We ran two afternoon workshops with 67 pupils across Years 5 and 6. Afterwards, we invited students to tell us what they had enjoyed and what we could do better. Their feedback, together with reflections from teachers, is helping us refine the workshop and its resources for future sessions.
Here are some of their responses:
- “I found it amazing memory that I will never forget.”
- “I thought about that I actually like science now, not a lot, just a bit, but the fact I learnt about chemical and the cells – how it effects the human body.”
- “This afternoon I learnt more about disease and medicines and it was awesome – science is so cool.”
- “It was very exciting and fun and hope to do it again.”
Our thanks to staff at Rose Hill Primary School, and especially to Mrs Patel.