Support for budding scientists

February 2009

Over 200 pupils from fifteen Norfolk schools came to the Norwich Research Park recently to find out what it’s really like to work in science.

“We have a good take-up of science, but many students don’t know where it could lead them,” says science teacher Caroline Nair from Wymondham High School. “We were certainly not aware there are so many options in Norfolk.”

Fifteen-year-old student Lizzie Fox is taking triple science at GSCE level. She got some practice at the precision art of pipetting to extract DNA and load it into gels. “I might study to be an eye surgeon or otherwise do something completely unrelated to science,” she said.

At the careers fair organised by the Norwich Research Park Office, Norfolk County Council Chairman Wyndham Northam also tried his hand at pipetting, a technique he had seen on television used in DNA fingerprinting.

Students heard talks from working scientists about the highs and lows of their chosen careers, as well as getting hands-on experience at 26 stands.

There was an opportunity to find out about lesser known science jobs, such as working for a spin-out company developing a miniature type of temperature sensor or working in forensic science.

Daniel Cox, Leader of Norfolk County Council, said: "This exciting event supports two of our key ambitions for Norfolk, to create aspirational people with high levels of achievement and build a vibrant, strong and sustainable economy.

"I hope that young people will be inspired by the event, with many going on to a career in the scientific arena that has made our county renowned on an international stage."

This careers fair is part of a series of events that are being supported by Norfolk County Council. The council has joined forces with bodies including Connexions Norfolk, ConstructionSkills, and Train to Gain, to showcase the exciting and diverse job opportunities available in the county - including the creative, engineering, health & life sciences, construction, and financial service industries.

Notes to editors

For photos please contact the JIC Press Office:
Zoe Dunford, Tel: 01603 255111, email: zoe.dunford@jic.ac.uk
Andrew Chapple, Tel: 01603 251490, email: andrew.chapple@jic.ac.uk

Norwich Research Park
The Norwich Research Park is a collaboration between the University of East Anglia, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, and three independent research centres; the John Innes Centre, the Institute of Food Research, and the Sainsbury Laboratory.
With over 9,000 people the Norwich Research Park has one of Europe’s largest single-site concentrations of research in Health, Food and Environmental Sciences.

Related links

Support for budding scientists