The workshop theme ‘it’s complicated: navigating scientific complexity in public and community engagement’, was explored in sessions that were designed to make it fun and interactive. Participants who took part acquired new skills in communicating complex scientific research studies and ideas into drawings. Exercises were structured to be thought provoking, enjoyable and provided space for learning new public engagement methods and skills.
Participants had the opportunity to do experiments and practical exercises that have been used in the UK to engage adults or young people with science and health. In one of the mini science-fayre, participants had an opportunity to carry out a simple experiment where within minutes they could extract and see their DNA in a test tube. A first for most who had never seen their DNA.