23 June 2010
Pupils explore world of medicine with Professor Fluffy
Pupils from primary schools across the region visited the University of Sheffield this week (21 June 2010) to learn about the world of medicine with the cuddly toy academic, Professor Fluffy.
Year 5 pupils from Holy Cross School, Shortbrook School and Birley Community Primary School took part in the visits which have taken place over the last two weeks.
The children were provided with white coats and clipboards and split into different themed groups; Lucky Lungs, Cool Kidneys, Super Stomachs and Brilliant Brains. They then took part in a range of activities which included the Torso Challenge in which pupils tried to fit organs correctly into a torso model, whilst looking at the functions of the organs, and the Inside Out Body Tunic activity where one child wore a special tunic and other children took it in turns to attach Velcro body parts in the correct position.
Professor Fluffy is the guide to a project which aims to raise awareness of further and higher education, raise aspirations and self-esteem, and teach children about life choices and decision making.
The activities were facilitated by Student Ambassadors from the University´s Medical School. The pupils learnt about the effects of taking tobacco, alcohol and other drugs from the Ambassadors and also had the chance to interview them to find out about life at University. During the lunch break the pupils dressed up in a cap and gown for a traditional graduation photograph, and were given a guided tour of the campus.
Caroline Knight, Outreach Officer at the University of Sheffield, said: "The earlier a child thinks about their future, and the earlier they set their goals high, the more likely they are to achieve them. By showing primary age children what university life is like, we can give them something to aim for.
"The Professor Fluffy sessions aim to show them that university and education is not all about subjects that you study in school; it can also be about your hobbies for example, music, drama, dance or sports. By introducing primary children to university in a fun way we are helping them to see that university could be a choice for them." For further information please contact: Lauren Anderson, Media Relations Officer, on 0114 2221046 or email l.h.anderson@sheffield.ac.uk
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