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Bridging Classroom and Laboratory: Teachers’ Insightful Visit to the IDRM
Last month we welcomed three teachers to the IDRM as part of a teacher residential initiative in collaboration with Oxford University’s Jesus and Trinity Colleges.
The teachers spent an enlightening few days with scientists from our cardiology, neurology, and immunology research themes to learn more about developmental biology and regenerative medicine research. This opportunity afforded them a unique insight into how these disciplines interconnect and the diverse routes that lead into scientific careers.
The teachers were particularly intrigued by an in-depth exploration of heart attacks and their impact on the body. They learned about the underlying mechanisms of heart attacks, including the immune response triggered by such events and the innovative strategies being developed to heal damaged hearts. They were also introduced to the cutting-edge research on novel drug synthesis and delivery mechanisms, which demonstrated the essential role of chemistry in developing new treatments.
One of the highlights of their visit was spending time in the IDRM’s Oxford-ZEISS Centre of Excellence state-of-the-art imaging suite. Here they had the opportunity to generate detailed images alongside our scientists and experience first-hand the advanced techniques used to visualise and analyse biological processes.
Hands-on practical experience and engaging discussions with researchers reinforced the relevance of their classroom practicals, with the teachers pleased to discover that the techniques and knowledge they impart to their students align closely with those used in our laboratories.
They appreciated seeing experiments where things didn’t always go as planned. They noted that, unlike the controlled environments of classroom experiments, research involves navigating unexpected results and developing creative solutions, demonstrating the need to instill values like resilience and teamwork in future generations of scientists.
They were particularly struck by the collaborative spirit throughout our institute. Scientists from various disciplines sharing insights and supporting one another left a lasting impression on the teachers and emphasised the importance of collaboration in scientific progress.
The visit was a mutually beneficial experience. Helping to bridge the gap between classroom teaching and cutting-edge research, it reinforced the importance of developing skills around collaboration, adaptability, and resilience, and the teachers returned to their classrooms eager to inspire their students with real-world applications of the science they teach.
