The Manchester Museum is a recognised provider of innovative learning programmes within the Cultural Assets at The University of Manchester. The Museum provides learning experiences for over 4000 secondary and Post 16 pupils throughout the North West of England. The Museum’s ‘Life Lab’ programme is a highly successful example of mutually beneficial collaboration between cultural venues and HE providers. This programme fully harnesses the potential of widening participation activity to provide an array of hands-on science sessions where KS4/5 learners from underrepresented backgrounds have the opportunity to work alongside young Ph D researchers at The University of Manchester in real laboratory environments.

‘Life Lab’ programming is designed specifically to complement National Curriculum requirements within the STEM subjects. Programme delivery reflects the recent pedagogical shift in science teaching in the United Kingdom to focus on ‘How Science Works’. Pupils are led through curriculum-focused activities by Ph D researchers. Through this process practical science is demystified and made exciting for school pupils.

The impact and benefit of learning experiences outside the classroom has been well documented and researched. Basic classroom knowledge is enhanced through participation in active hands-on learning experiences. In the ‘Life Lab’ Ph D researchers act as positive role models for students considering any form of Higher Education. Evaluation of student participation in ‘Life Lab’ programmes indicates that this interaction affords them advanced knowledge of both the applications and implications of science in the real world.

The benefit to Ph D researchers on this programme is profound. Their professional development within the realm of science communication is intensified by the demonstrator mentoring programme. This mentorship scheme embraces Museum constructivist learning theory and recognises the value of informal and discursive teaching styles. The recruitment of young scientists onto this programme also provides a scaffold for science communication activity at the University. Ph D researchers are exposed to the benefits of working with young people, which furthers their ability to discuss their research with non specialist audiences. The participants are able to act as ambassadors for nationwide strategies related to public engagement within their respective University faculties. These outputs will undoubtedly figure prominently in the aim of The University of Manchester to become the most accessible research-intensive institution in the UK by 2015.