Arty Science at Techniquest Science Centre

Systems Immunity scientists deliver a fun and challenging day of science and art at Techniquest.

On August 13^th 2016, Bruce Maclachlan, Mike Crowther, Andrea Schauenburg and Dr David Cole from the Systems Immunity Research Institute at Cardiff University teamed up with Dr Alexa Bishop from Cancer Research UK and Lisa Whittaker from Tenovus Cancer Charity, to deliver a fun and challenging day of science and art attracting more than 200 visitors at Techniquest Science Centre,

“This event was more than your average art exhibition”, explains co-organizer Dr Alexa Bishop from Cancer Research UK. “We designed an interactive arty science treasure trail to make the exhibition more fun and challenging for youngsters and adults alike”.

Systems Immunity principal investigator Dr David Cole, who co-organized the event, added, “as well as displaying the artwork in secret locations around Techniquest Science Centre, we had interactive games and a planaterium show called ‘Body Wars’, that told the story of how we are using light 10 billion times brighter than the sun to make new cancer medicines.”

The artwork was created by thirty sixth form pupils from Cyfarthfa High School, Merthyr Tydfil, who were given a tour of some of the cancer research laboratories at Cardiff University in March 2016. This visit inspired them to create some original pieces of artwork. Their outstanding offerings are now part of a touring exhibition, which visited Techniquest Science Centre last weekend.

The team hope that by showcasing how science and art can go hand in hand, they might help to inspire the next generation of young scientist to join the fight against cancer.

The event was supported by Cancer Research UK, Techniquest Science Centre, Health and Care Research Wales and The Wellcome Trust.