On 17 June, we welcomed 41 pupils to the Department for a day of hands-on science and discovery. Sixteen volunteers from across the Department designed and delivered four interactive activities, each bringing a different aspect of pharmacology to life in an engaging and accessible way.
Discovering how medicines work
In the ‘Lock & Key’ activity, pupils explored how receptors in the body interact with medicines. Through a series of games, they discovered how the shape of a molecule can determine whether it interacts with a particular receptor, and how some molecules can activate receptors while others can block them.
The ‘DNA Extraction’ activity introduced genetics and personalised medicine. Using familiar household materials, each pupil extracted DNA from a strawberry, providing a memorable way to see something that would normally be invisible and to explore the role our DNA can play in health and medicine.
From molecules to medicines
In ‘The Story of a Medicine’, pupils followed the journey of a medicine and explored how medicines are developed and how they interact with the body. They also built molecular models of familiar medicines, including ibuprofen and paracetamol, to take home.
For the ‘Pill Coding’ challenge, pupils investigated how different coatings can affect the release of a medicine. Working in teams, they experimented with ways to control how quickly an effervescent tablet dissolved, competing to get as close as possible to a target time of five minutes.
Together, the activities gave pupils the opportunity to experiment, ask questions and encounter some of the ideas that pharmacologists work with—from molecules, DNA and receptors to the design and delivery of medicines.
Inspiring enthusiasm for science
The pupils’ enthusiasm for the day was reflected in their feedback:
- “I loved visiting the Pharmacology Department, it’s so fun and seeking adventure.”
- “I had enjoyed being here because of learning things that are new to me. In my opinion there is nothing to improve!”
- “I enjoyed the DNA because it was fascinating and cool..”
- “I enjoyed the pill experiment because it was fun and interesting to see whose dissolves first”
- “I appreciated all of the volunteers because they were kind and helpful”
The visit was also an opportunity for pupils to meet scientists working and studying in the Department, while giving our researchers experience of communicating scientific ideas with a young audience.
We are very grateful to East Oxford Primary School for continuing to work with us, and our thanks to everyone from across the Department who contributed their time, ideas and enthusiasm to making the day possible: Rebecca Braine, Lizzie Burns, Charmaine Chang, Yan-li Chou, Steven Dierksmeier, Emma Graham, Christopher Halford, Solomon Jalang, Felicity Johns, Ela Krajcuskova, Matthew Lloyd, Sonia Marinwong, Catherine Roberts, Munashe Rumhuma, Evanthia Tzachili, Charlotte Wirth and Barbara Zonta.
Take a look below at PDFs capturing this year’s open day, and from previous years.