RCSI Bahrain welcomes 'mad scientists'

25 primary school students from Abdul Rahman Kanoo International School (ARKIS) visited the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland – Medical University of Bahrain (RCSI Bahrain) in Busaiteen last week for the final ‘Mad Science’ session of the school year.

The ARKIS contingent, was met by RCSI Bahrain Foundation Year medical students taking part in the Professionalism module, in conjunction with the Community Engagement department.

After donning their very own lab coats and safety goggles, the Year 4 children were brought to the university’s Clinical Skills laboratory, where the medical students demonstrated a series of science experiments.

The main aim of the event is to develop children’s interest in science by showing them fun and challenging activities, while also examining students’ professionalism in engaging with the wider community in Bahrain.

The undergraduates are required to organise and conduct the science fair themselves, under the supervision and assessment of their elective coordinators, and prepare a reflective report noting their experiences and how the programme might be improved.

The latest visit followed on from that by a group from Nadeen School last month and brought to 215 the number of school kids to have taken part in the programme since it was launched by RCSI Bahrain back in 2013.

Among previous schools to participate include Riffa Views International School, Al Mahd Day Boarding School and the French School.

RCSI Bahrain is a constituent university of RSCI, which was established in Ireland in 1784. Like its counterpart, RCSI Bahrain is a not-for-profit health sciences institution focused on education and research to drive positive change in all areas of human health worldwide.

Community Engagement is one of the three strategic pillars of RCSI Bahrain – along with Research and Teaching and Learning – and has a specific team dedicated to organising such events both in Bahrain and overseas.