Opportunities for Schools

Insight Days for Schools

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

DNA: December 2009 saw JICs’ first dedicated DNA insight day. Thirty pupils visited JIC to learn all about DNA, genetics and see the new state of the art Genome Analysis Centre.

GM: JIC and Sainbury Lab scientists hosted two GM insight days. In  December 2009 Twenty five triple science pupils came to see the gene gun and plant Arabidopsis in the glasshouses .  In February 2010 fifty A-level students from Paston College came to interview scientists for their coursework, tour the glasshouses and visit the laboratories.

Photosynthesis: In May 2010 pupils from Lionwood Junior visited JICs’ seed store, glasshouses and controlled environment rooms as well as taking part in a photosynthesis workshop.

Work Experience Opportunities

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

In July 2010 eight carefully selected students gained 2 weeks work experience. The interests of the students selected included biology, entomology, biological chemistry, IT and crops.  Eleven different departments hosted students and provided experience in cell and developmental biology, crop genetics, biological chemistry, purchasing and communications amongst others.

Feedback from the students included

‘I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the John Innes Centre and would like to thank you once again for choosing me for the placement. I would very much like to have the opportunity to return to John Innes Centre for further work experience as I feel I have benefitted a lot from the last two weeks. If any opportunities do arise in the future please could you let me know. Once again I thank you for choosing me.’

‘Thank you for providing me with an amazing opportunity to spend my week of work experience at JIC, I really did enjoy every day an awful lot. I hope I can maybe do some more work experience at JIC at some point in the future.’

‘Thank-you for organising and guiding me over my work experience, it was a really pleasure to work at John Innes!’

‘I have had a wonderful time and my eyes have truly been opened. I will remember this experience for a very long time to come. I have met so many incredible and inspiring people. I hope that everyone continues to enjoy their time at JIC and also continues to touch lives, just as mine has been.’

And host scientists remarked on the enthusiasm and aptitude of the visiting pupils

‘Olivia was a delightful, enthusiastic and immaculately mannered companion. She clearly has a strong interest and a natural aptitude for science, furthermore she is extremely conscientious. I have no doubt therefore that Olivia will be very successful in whatever career she chooses.’

See also: Institutes provide valuable work experience for pupils - July 2009

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, invite enthusiastic students in years 11-13 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.

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).