Children and their families from Somers Town have been busy
producing illustrations for books telling a Crick-related
story.
Three groups from the Working Men's College, One KX, and Somers
Town Community Centre all started work on their unique books in
March. All attended workshops with artists to learn about
illustration, sculpture and screen printing techniques, as well as
sessions with scientists and architects to find out more about the
Crick.
The youngest group, aged 7 to 12, explored the difference
between infection and diseases, such as malaria and cancer, while
10- to 16-year-olds learned all about the design, construction, and
the purpose of the Crick building. The third group, made up of
children and their families, explored artefacts from the Wellcome
Collection connected to themes and ideas associated with the Crick,
such as the discovery of DNA.
Alexis Mannion, the Crick's Education and Outreach Manager,
said: "With the construction of the Crick having progressed so much
recently, we wanted to ensure that local children fully understood
what this big new building in their neighbourhood is actually going
to do.
"We realised that all of our publications were aimed at an adult
audience, and that we had no literature or information for younger
people. The illustrators and children's writer have been fantastic,
the children and their parents really enjoyed the workshop
sessions, and everyone is thrilled with how the books have turned
out. We hope that the books will be used in schools, libraries, and
community centres both now and for many months and years to
come."
The project was run in partnership with Pop Up Projects, a
not-for-profit organisation that inspires children, families, and
communities through books and stories. The books will be
distributed to local schools and community
groups.
If you are a school teacher and you would like a copy of the
books, please email education@crick.ac.uk
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