Bone Research Society public engagement event at LifeLab

Very excited to have been part of this LifeLab session organised by Bone Research Society .

μ-VIS team worked together with Assoc. Prof. Claire Clarkin and her group to create a unique bone-themed Virtual Reality experience for c. 30 pupils from Shirley Junior School.

Students were taken into a VR tour of specimens imaged at μ-VIS which amongst others featured close encounters with a mouse skull and bones’ most abundant cells (i.e. the Osteocytes).

Program:

Activity 1: Neil MacKenzie public engagement award winner 2018: The skeleton and its functions

Lead: Dr Dimitris Vlachopoulos with Miss Stephanie Smith

My parts of the skeleton (10 mins): Drawing exercise
Why do I have bone? (10 mins): Playdough exercise

Activity 2 : Understanding Bone Structure

Lead: Dr Claire Clarkin, Miss Alice Goring and Miss Aikta Sharma

‘Looking and feeling’ (10 mins) 3D printed bones : Human ( diseased/healthy) Rat, elephant. Bone specimens: Variety available including mammoth/ dinosaur c/o Dr Neil Gostling
Guessing bone strength (10mins): Wispa versus crunchie challenge

Activity 3: Diet, Sun and Bone Health

Lead: Dr Beth Curtis Dr Rebeccca Moon

Calcified/ uncalcified bone specimens
UV bead experiment
Vitamin D/ Calcium cards

Activity 4 : ‘ Virtual reality’ bone

Lead: the μ-VIS team (Dr. Philipp Schneider, Dr. Orestis Katsamenis, Dr Richard Boardman) & Miss Alisha Sharma, Miss Katy Williams

Bone specimens and fossils (and possibly a spider thrown in) will be seen in 3D, they can be "touched" manipulated and walked into using specialised software and head mask.

Session close: Kate Townsend‐ Woods

The event took place on Tuesday 26 ^th June, 2018

Was great to have the place full with younger students today. What an awesome opportunity for the children. Thx @MRC_LEU @BoneResearchSoc @UoS_Medicine for running such great activities. #futurescientists https://t.co/IceeNT5I21
— LifeLab (@LifelabSoton) June 26, 2018

And another from @LifelabSoton with @SotonEngEnv @BoneResearchSoc Virtual Reality Bone!!! #Freaky #BRS2018 pic.twitter.com/mqsby2JMAX
— Dr Clarkin Lab (@ClarkinBoneBiol) June 26, 2018