The National Lottery Heritage-funded project, LSTM - Past, Present, and Future has brought together students from Liverpool Life Sciences UTC (university technical college) and the history and science of LSTM, in an exhibition that showcases the work of 19 students, to creatively represent LSTM’s heritage.
The exhibition of the student’s research was open to LSTM staff and students, offering LSTM’s current scientists the chance to explore the institute’s history through a creative lens. Additionally, it gave the students a chance for their research to be guided by current staff feedback.
Maria Moore, a study co-ordinator at LSTM said after viewing the student research: “I really enjoyed the event and am glad I made the time to go over and see their work. The students were so engaged with their subjects and confident to talk about the work they had done thus far; it gave me hope for the future!”
The research began in November 2022 with a visit by the students to LSTM where they spoke with vector biologists and the custodians of LSTM’s archives and history. Their initial visit was completed by a visit to the Dagnall where the students were delighted with parasite and mosquito specimens. The LSTM team had thoughtfully linked LSTM’s history, from the work of Alwen Evans, Walter Myers, and David Dagnall to LSTM’s present-day science and how the past has impacted the present work.
The GCSE and A-Level students were then able to choose a scientist and influencer from LSTM’s history to explore whilst focusing on the themes of colonialism, women in STEM, and Sci-Art. The students have explored LSTM’s archives housed at the University of Liverpool’s Special Collections and Archives and worked on creating pieces of Sci-Art and website pages outlining the institute’s history. The students have been exploring the stories of Mary Kingsley, Alwen Evans, Walter Myers, Alwen Evans, Joseph Dutton, Alfred Lewis Jones, and LSTM’s longest serving Dean, Brian Maegraith.
Maria Moore continued: “I found showcase really thought provoking and it allowed me to learn more about the history of LSTM, in particular the sacrifices made by others in the pursuit of the scientific knowledge that underpins much of our work today. It is all too easy to hear the names but not be aware of the back stories. As an institution celebrating 125 years of work in global health, we have a duty to remember this and build upon it.”
Throughout their day at LSTM, the students also had the opportunity to visit the Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions herpetarium and visit the mosquito insectaries. The students will be continuing their research ready for a second showcase at their school to their fellow peers later in the year.
Dr John Dyer, Lead Teacher for Science Innovation at Liverpool Life Sciences UTC, said: “The students had a great day, as did the staff, and got a lot out of the experience. We really appreciated the opportunity!”
Public Engagement Manager and lead on LSTM – Past, Present, and Future, says “I am delighted by the effort and creativity of the students, their works from creating Sci-Art pieces to designing a new to logo for LSTM showed how inspired the students were with LSTM’s history and heritage. I am also impressed by how the students were able to reflect upon some challenging aspects of LSTM’s history for example exploring the association between Alfred Lewis Jones and colonialism.”
Return to LSTM webpages and follow us on social media (@LSTMnews on Twitter and LSTM on Facebook) to discover more information about associated 125th anniversary events.
LSTM would like to thank lottery players for their support in enabling this important project to go ahead.