Centre of the Cell’s STEM Pod undergoes state-of-the-art computer and film technology refurbishment

28 June 2023

The refurbishment was funded by Queen Mary’s Strategic Development Fund and includes installation of state-of-the-art computer and film technology and a refresh of its activities and films to reflect the latest in biomedical research at Queen Mary.

Centre of the Cell is an award-winning informal science education and public engagement centre helping to inspire young people to pursue careers in the sciences and engaging the local community with medical research. They have welcomed over 235,000 people since opening in September 2009. Their facilities include two dedicated ‘Pod’ learning spaces, with STEM Pod being the first in the world to be located within working biomedical research laboratories, suspended above the laboratories at Queen Mary’s Blizard Institute.

Through its educational shows, workshops and lectures, the Centre aims to stimulate interest and dialogue about biomedical research and improve the health and wellbeing of our local communities. Its school visits and public shows hope to widen participation in further education and inspire the next generation of scientists and healthcare professionals.

As well as being fitted with new state of the art projectors, STEM Pod’s interactive educational games have been re-versioned to bring them up to date with the latest technology.

As part of the development, Centre of the Cell also worked with scientists across the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry and wider university to produce three new videos, sharing some of the impactful and inspiring research.

The videos feature colleagues from different backgrounds and specialties, including technicians, lab managers, administrators, PhD students and clinician scientists, to highlight the wide range of careers open to those who want to pursue a career in biomedical science.
Over the next few months, Centre of the Cell will be introducing two new interactives in STEM Pod, one on skin and another on motor neurons. The STEM Pod experience will soon have another exciting dimension – to be unveiled before the end of the year – using light and projection to bring its central nucleus alive in a surprising way.

STEM Pod re-opens to the public this summer, with the first cohort of school visits scheduled to take place in the new school term in September.

The new STEM Pod experience

The STEM Pod experience is a 1.5-hour interactive science experience for ages seven and up. The immersive show begins with a film projected onto the ceiling to introduce visitors to concepts of cell biology accompanied by a light and sound show.

Then comes the exciting opening of the central Nucleus where visitors can play KS2 – KS5 curriculum-linked games related to cell biology. Many of these games are based on research from Queen Mary’s scientists. Further interactive games are located around the perimeter.

The Nucleus closes and a second film introduces some of our scientists and the work they do to understand and treat cell diseases.

The Nucleus then reopens with different interactives and specimens from the Pathology Museum are revealed around the perimeter. Visitors can also enjoy using microscopes, and debate the ethical issues surrounding medical research.

The experience is supported by expert Centre of the Cell Explainers who include medical and dental students studying at Queen Mary. The Explainers guide the visitors through the whole experience and are on hand to answer visitors’ questions about science and careers. Volunteer Queen Mary staff also act as science ambassadors.

More information

Find out more about Centre of the Cell and how you can book a visit on their website.