Engaging the public with final year undergraduate projects

Public engagement with science (PES) activities are an integral part of university activities and provide opportunities for developing student skills. We have trialled a new format of PES final year project to Neuroscience and Physiological Science BSc students which was undertaken by a pair of students on the topic of memory engrams. Students initially produced a literature review focusing on the scientific literature. The second part of the project was a student led hypothesis-driven research project to develop, deliver and evaluate a PES activity. They produced an animation (http://goo.gl/VGHj4y) that was presented to participants (parents at a UCAS visit day) who completed a questionnaire assessing understanding and opinions of the research before and after the activity. The final dissertation included a more detailed review of the PES literature and analysis and discussion of the collected data.

The animation was well received by the participants and understanding of the research topic was increased. They were positive about the research that was discussed in the animation and found the resource helpful and interesting. This type of project provides new opportunities for students to develop scientific and transferable knowledge and skills, and for both staff and students to engage the public with science.