IBMS Welsh region showcases fun pathology activities at Eisteddfod Festival

The Eisteddfod festival is an event that runs from 29th July to 6th August showcasing some of the best cultural exhibitions, competitions, performing arts and acts Wales has to offer. Members of the IBMS Wales region organised some exciting activities to encourage interest in the biomedical sciences for the attendees.

Located at the science pavilion at the ‘disease detectives’ stand, volunteers demonstrated various activities for children and adults to participate in that related to the fields of microbiology, haematology, histology and pathology. Such activities included games and quizzes in hand washing, looking at cheek cells under a microscope, blood cross matching, and more.

Clinical scientist Fiona Stratford explained: “The aim of our stand is to raise public awareness about pathology in general and careers in pathology.”

With five activities for children and adults to try, people can learn about the different aspects of the fields within pathology, such as haematology through blood transfusion. One popular activity is a cross matching salad spinner activity. The salad spinners represent a centrifuge and blood cells are symbolised by red pompoms. People add their blood and a patient’s to the centrifuge and spin it to see if it is safe to transfuse. If the pompoms fall to the bottom of the spinner it is safe, but not if the pompoms stick to the sides of the spinner.

Fiona adds, “It's been a great week so far with lots of visitors to the stand and several young adults expressing an interest in a career in pathology.“

The IBMS is pleased to support the Welsh region and their volunteers in their mission to educate and inform the public and encourage interest in the biomedical sciences.

Read here for more information about the Eisteddfod festival.