Earlier on this year, Scarlett who is a pupil at Leicester Grammar School and a D-CYPHR Young Ambassador did an assembly encouraging young people to join the programme (with parental consent) and to donate a sample of their spit. The school has been a real highlight of the D-CYPHR schools programme, and the assembly was well received by young people.
The STEM fair
Recently, the D-CYPHR team went back to the school and had a stall at the STEM fair. The event was packed full of DNA activities and an information desk for children and young people to ask questions. There was lots of engagement from parents and young people interested in genetics research and in joining D-CYPHR.
Rachel Jewell, Schools Partnership Manager said:
“We were so happy to go back to Leicester Grammar School for their STEM fair. It has been a supportive school, with dedicated young people leading the call for childhood health research. We had great engagement from all the families there, everyone was very keen to learn about DNA and genetics, and how this can help health research.”
Elizabeth Mordey, Senior Study Coordinator for D-CYPHR commented:
“It was a great opportunity to talk to families about the importance of D-CYPHR and to be able to teach children the essentials of DNA. The event had so many fantastic stalls encouraging children to develop their knowledge in science further. Young people of all ages got involved in our activities like fingerprint DNA, creating a DNA strand out of pipe cleaners.”
Young Ambassadors
Scarlett is very proud to be an ambassador and has already provided a sample for research. Her cousin has a rare genetic condition called Sanfillippo. It means that at just 8 years old she has serious health problems with no cure. Sugars build up in her cells, this can damage organs, affect growth, mental development and behaviour. Scarlett hopes that she can potentially one day make a change to her cousin’s life and others with rare illnesses by raising awareness of the D-CYPHR programme.
Scarlett said:
"It's important to make a difference for future generations now, especially something as simple as spitting into a tube. Something so basic could be life changing for someone else one day."
Get involved in our programme
D-CYPHR (the DNA, Children + Young People’s Health Resource) supports childhood health research for ages 0-15, by pioneering new treatments and creating better care for children and the adults they will become.
The programme explores two key things for our health: genetics and the environment. Together, these explain why we might get sick and what can help.
Contributions by young people today could provide clues for diabetes, mental health conditions, heart disease, rare diseases, immune conditions and more.
It’s easy to take part in the programme, all you have to do is fill out a health and lifestyle questionnaire and spit in a tube. See how you can get involved and help childhood research by joining D-CYPHR online.