Over the past fortnight 400 children and almost 50 teachers from nine local primary schools have visited the University of Leicester to learn more about the archaeology and genetics behind the recent discovery of the remains of Richard III. Each step of the discovery and identification was represented over a variety of fun, hands-on activities, organised by two departments in collaboration.
The School of Archaeology and Ancient History provided live demonstrations of the types of weapons used to administer Richard's fatal wounds. The historical re-enactor dressed in full arms and armour was reliably a hit with the kids. They were given the opportunity to examine a replica skeleton, and compare it to photographs of Richard's own wounded and deformed bones. They were also given the chance to handle and identify genuine medieval artefacts.
A second laboratory was provided by GENIE Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning based within the Department of Genetics. This concentrated on the use of genetics to confirm the identity of the skeleton. The children started by extracting DNA from bananas using similar techniques to those used on Richard's skeleton. They continued by piecing together fragments of the skeleton’s DNA sequence, and matching it to that of Michael Ibsen, a living relative of the King. This allowed them to demonstrate that the two were related. Finally, they learnt to draw family trees, both of Richard's immediate family and then their own.
Throughout the experience all the children remained engaged, taking to each new task with genuine interest and enthusiasm. By having the chance to carry out real science, in a laboratory, wearing lab coats, they could get a feel for what it is to be a scientist, and by examining the archaeological evidence, they could start to understand what it is to be an archaeologist.
One teacher said, “They love learning this way: out of the classroom”.
“I'll definitely be more interested in science at school, now”, added one of her pupils.
Journalists from several news organisations also came to see what was going on. BBC Radio Leicester broadcasted live from the Archaeology/Genetics laboratories on Wednesday morning 5 June 2013. You can listen to BBC Radio Leicester broadcast 1 hour 10min into the recording. Pukaar News, ITV and the Leicester Mercury were also on hand to report on the day.
CASE is the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, an international body for professionals working in higher education marketing and communications. More than 2,900 entries were received from 600 institutions in 18 countries across 45 categories. About 280 Circle of Excellence Awards have been announced but of these, just nine awards were made to UK institutions, including Leicester’s Gold Award in the ‘Media Relations Programs and Projects’ categories.
The University's award-winning press plan started with extensive local, national and even international interest in the dig, following the discovery of human remains with battle wounds and a curved spine. This was announced to a packed press conference in Leicester Guildhall in September 2012 and immediately became the biggest story which the University’s Press Office has ever handled.
Over the next five months, the press coverage was carefully managed as Leicester academics investigated the remains, building up to a press conference in February 2013 which dwarfed even the September event. Scores of camera crews, photographers and journalists from all over the world crammed into the University’s Council Chamber, each with their own requirements (the Melton Times was listed alphabetically next to the New York Times!). Richard Buckley’s announcement that the bones were those of Richard III “beyond reasonable doubt” was greeted with spontaneous applause.
At its peak, England's last Plantagenet king knocked the Superbowl and Beyoncé off the number one spot on Twitter.
In the wake of this announcement, the University received numerous commendations for the way that this unprecedented news story had been handled. The Gold Award from CASE is the icing on the cake.
The award will be accepted at the CASE Europe Annual Conference in Manchester in August. This is Leicester’s second Circle of Excellence Award: in 2011 we received a Grand Gold Award for the quality of the news writing on our website.
The annual Summer Reunion this year celebrates the historically ground-breaking discovery of Richard III and the anniversaries of the Department of Geography, the Department of Engineering and the Students’ Union.
Activities have been laid on in order to cater to all ages and interests. The Department of Engineering shall be showcasing real robots and the University of Leicester Racing Team’s all-electric race car. Visitors fascinated by the recent unearthing of Richard III can hear from key figures on the Richard III Project team, including Dr Turi King of the Department of Genetics and genealogist Professor Kevin Schürer.
Why not get hands-on with the many workshops happening? Guests can take part in displays connected to the Richard III project, and Embrace Arts, our University’s arts centre will be presenting a wide range of dance, arts, music and crafts events.
Parents need not worry about entertaining the youngest in the family: kids activities such as face-painting, magic shows and rides have been arranged, as well as a BBQ on the main campus for all to enjoy.
If that wasn’t enough, graduates can also revel in the first ever Leicester Alumni black tie dinner, the White Rose Ball, which is taking place the evening before the Open Day, on Friday 28th June.
This event is proving to be hugely popular so do not delay in booking your place for the Summer Reunion Open Day by visiting www.le.ac.uk/alumni/reunion.
]]>More than 500 pupils from ten Leicester City primary schools will hear from University of Leicester archaeology and genetics experts at the Richard III Campus Visit days and discover about key archaeological skills - such as identifying artefacts – as well as the findings from the Grey Friars dig and analysis of the skeleton.
They will also find out some of the key genetic concepts that helped researchers identify the Grey Friars skeleton – and will even learn how to extract DNA from a banana.
A medieval knight in full armour will demonstrate how King Richard III received his fatal battlefield injuries.
]]>Dr Maciej Tomaszewski (pictured), a Clinical Senior Lecturer in Cardiovascular Medicine at the University’s Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, has won the European Atherosclerosis Young Investigator Award in Clinical Research from the European Atherosclerosis Society.
This highly competitive award recognises excellence in the research field of atherosclerosis/cardiovascular disease. Each year European Atherosclerosis Society Scientific Committee selects the two best manuscripts published in the previous calendar year.
The winning study, reported that genetic variation within the male-specific region of the human Y chromosome plays a major role in programming genetic susceptibility to coronary artery disease.
Dr Tomaszewski said:
Dr Tomaszewski will be presented with his award at the annual meeting of the European Atherosclerosis Society in Lyon, France, 2-5 June 2013.
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Highlights from its Richard III Open Day on Saturday 29 June include talks from experts Professor Lin Foxhall, Head of our School of Archaeology and Ancient History, geneticist Dr Turi King, forensic engineering expert Professor Sarah Hainsworth, Renaissance literature scholar Dr Sarah Knight, and Dr Tracey Elliott of the School of Law.
There will also be drop-in sessions to the Department of Genetics and School of Archaeology and Ancient History, where guests will be able to participate in workshops, displays and demos.
The events are also part of this year’s Summer Reunion Open Day, held annually for graduates of the University both across the UK and worldwide.
There will also be a BBQ on the main campus, drinks in the 1923 Restaurant and children’s activities.
To book your place and for more information about the Richard III Open Day – which is open to the general public – visit here.
The Search for Richard III was led by the University of Leicester, working with Leicester City Council, and in association with the Richard III Society.
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