Opportunities for Schools

Insight Days for Schools

Our insight days include Health and Safety, Microscopy, Genetic Modification, DNA and genetics.

Health and Safety: In September 2009 ninety pupils attended for demonstrations, talks and hands on activities.

Microscopy: Our 2010 microscopy insight day will be on 29th of September. In September 2009 over 200 pupils attended talks, toured the BioImaging facilities and took part in the popular images quiz. See Microscopy@JIC for more information on microscopes and what scientists at JIC are doing.

December 2009 sees JICs first dedicated DNA insight day. Thirty pupils will be visiting JIC to learn all about DNA, genetics and see the new state of the art Genome Analysis Centre.

Work Experience Opportunities

Work experience is provided for year 10 pupils. Further details and applications.

In July 2009 Institutes provide valuable work experience for pupils

A total of 15 students gained work experience across 11 different departments in the Norwich BioSciences Institute. The pupils were able to carry out a wide range of experiments including DNA extractions, analysing DNA sequences, protein crystallizations, mass spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, computational biology and dissecting flowers.

Feedback from the students was positive

'I would like to thank you for enabling me to experience professional lab work for two weeks, and I would like to say that it really met my expectations in relation to what I wanted to achieve over the two weeks. I appreciate all the hard work that goes into organising work experience on your part and the diversity of activities I was given to do was astounding.'

'I have been challenged and inspired by many new ideas and wonderful people I have met at JIC.'

And the host scientists were impressed with the enthusiasm and aptitude of the visiting pupils

'All three students were hard-working, and seemed interested and enthusiastic about what they were doing.  The students worked very safely, and asked pertinent questions about what we were doing as the work progressed.'

'In general, all students have been a pleasure to work with and all a credit to their schools.'

'Students were very enthusiastic and motivated. They quickly picked up the necessary skills and showed great interest in the research.'

Inside Science

Inside Science is a 3 day workshop for gifted and talented students that has been running for four years.

The Norwich BioScience Institutes, funded by BBSRC, invited sixteen science students from around the region to spend three days on an intensive workshop, hearing about the research we do first hand, meeting students, post-docs and research assistants explaining exactly what it is like to work in science.

Inside Science 2010 - September 28th to 30th. Deadline for applications June 30th. Apply now

Sixth Form Summer Research Opportunities

Our Nuffield Scholarship Scheme provides local sixth formers with a four-week vacation placement as an opportunity to gain direct experience of research on the Norwich Research Park.

Supporting the Curriculum

Microscopy@JIC This website aims to answer many of the questions asked by members of the public and, in particular, teachers and students. It is hoped that it will provide basic educational information and inspire you to learn more about microscopy.

Further links

Teacher Scientist Network (TSN)

The John Innes centre is also the home of the acclaimed Teacher Scientist Network (TSN).

SAW Trust

Collaboration between science, art and writing to enhance the educational experience has been developed through the SAW trust (SAW).