Inspiring future biomedical scientists at Barr Beacon School careers fair
On 28th October 2023, Black country pathology service hosted a stall at the popular Bar Beacon School careers fair. The Microbiology department prepared some “plates” by sticking photographs inside plastic agars to give an impression of what a real agar plate looks like.
Alongside them, the Haematology team bought along examples of blood films and information about the analysers and equipment they use. Representatives of the Histology team also bought along artificial tissue and body parts made of play dough to demonstrate dissection, and the types of samples received. They also brought stained slides and laminates to inform people about sample processing.
G. Killick who organised the event said:
“The pupils spoke very animatedly following the event and I could see your stand was particularly popular.”
The team told pupils about the full range of jobs from medical laboratory assistants, associate practitioners, administrators, IT specialists, apprentices, biomedical scientists, specialist biomedical scientists, managers, clinical scientists and more, showing that there are so many opportunities in laboratories whatever career route they choose.
Amy Bednall, a Specialist biomedical scientist, who worked on the stand said:
“It was great opportunity to promote careers in science and to show the students what really happens in the lab. Promoting IBMS and how we are at the heart of healthcare.”
After hearing about the event, Glyn Woodward a recently retired biomedical scientist said that it reminded him of the school careers event where he first learned about biomedical science. He said that fair “made me decide at age 13 what I might do later in life.”
Perhaps this stand may encourage pupils to become future biomedical scientists.
If you are planning to operate a stand at a careers event and would like some IBMS materials to go with it, please get in touch with our communications team at communications@ibms.org