The College Open Day held on 8 September 2022 was a resounding success, with 65 secondary school students taking part in member-led activities at Alie Street.
The purpose of the Open day was to use the 60th birthday of the RCPath to inspire and inform local young people about pathology and pathology careers and to bring school students from diverse backgrounds to the College to participate in interactive activities and a short lecture. The day also provided a great opportunity for RCPath members to communicate to young people their work and its importance to health.
The proceedings started with the arrival of Her Royal Highness, Birgitte Eva van Deurs Henriksen, Duchess of Gloucester and Mr Leslie Morgan OBE Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Tower Hamlets, being at Alie Street. They were introduced to Members of the Trustee Board by Professor Michael Osborn and Professor Sarah Coupland in the Members’ Room.
The Duchess of Gloucester was then invited to attend the ‘A Living Autopsy’ session with Dr Suzy Lishman, who, with the aid of a living model, took the students through the process of a post-mortem examination, showing the real instruments used during a real autopsy. HRH had the opportunity to meet pupils and their teachers before the lecture started.
Following lunch, students took part in hands-on pathology-related activities run by members from different specialties, including Haematology, Chemical Pathology, H&I and Veterinary Pathology. Activities involved everything from an interactive quiz, roleplay, microscopy to art and science.
The students were given a bingo card with a question to answer at each activity station they visited. These were collected and the prizes were given to two lucky students from each school, who completed their Open Day Bingo Card.
A photographer was on hand to capture the key moments of the day.
Feedback
“Excellent range of activities, Great exposure for our students, thank you”. – Teacher (Eastbury School)
“It was great – amazing experience”. – Student (Leytonstone School)