Harvey's Lab Tours Pop-Up Event at Newcastle Cathedral
On Tuesday 25th February, Harvey’s Lab Tours appeared at a very special venue, Newcastle St Nicholas Cathedral. Led by registered scientist Nicola Finlay, and supported by Shavree, Thiri, Amber, Sara, and Ryan, the team brought Harvey’s Lab Tours to life for visiting families.
Set up alongside a packed programme of health and safety stalls, including spinal displays, children’s dental activities, river rescue demos, and a dressing-up station full of mini medical uniforms, the Harvey’s Lab Tours stall stood out with its hands-on science and bright goody bags.
Visitors learnt the real life impact of biomedical science with displays showing how blood works, what our blood cells do, and how just one sample can help diagnose heart attacks, liver conditions, kidney issues and much more. Children had the chance to try pipetting ‘serum’ from mock blood samples and take a peek at a real (expired) unit of red cells and fresh frozen plasma.
Nicola and the team handed out activity sheets, stickers, and treats. The Harvey’s Lab Tours certificates were also taken home by future scientists of all ages. The goody bags were a hit, piquing visitors' interest and helping spread the word about the work biomedical scientists do behind the scenes.
Harvey’s Lab Tours helps children understand that biomedical scientists aren't just testing blood, but helping doctors diagnose and care for people every single day. The event was a brilliant way to share this message and inspire the next generation of healthcare heroes.
Nicola commented,
"Blood science has a huge impact on young lives, and events like these are also a great way to meet teens who might be thinking about NHS careers. I always make sure to invite them along to our careers events at Newcastle Hospitals too!"
Looking ahead, the team hopes to involve the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) at their next event, an organisation they work closely with in real time emergencies. By raising awareness for GNAAS and showcasing the essential role of pathology in emergency care, future events aim to inspire even more young minds and support vital causes.