The Armagh Observatory and Planetarium is set to host the Institute of Biomedical Science’s Learning Lab on 26th and 27th September 2026.
Created by the Institute of Biomedical Science, the Learning Lab is a new mobile outreach initiative designed to drive awareness and educate children and the public about how biomedical science is at the heart of everyone’s healthcare.
Delivered in conjunction with the STEM Ambassador Programme, the Learning Lab will bring hands-on, interactive science experiences including the SuperLab VR Experience, set inside a futuristic Space laboratory, providing participants with a close-up look at the complex processes behind diagnosing illness; micropipetting; microscopes and pre-prepared slides; DNA bead stringing and other resources to explore careers in biomedical science, what happens to patient samples, and what the inside of a laboratory looks like.
Speaking about the visit, Dr Hanagh Winter, who leads the STEM Ambassadors programme in Northern Ireland at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, said:
“We’re delighted to welcome the Learning Lab to Armagh. This collaboration began with Karen Goodall, one of our STEM Ambassadors from HSCNI, who recognised the Planetarium as a venue for the Lab and brought the right people together to make it happen. It is a brilliant example of the value STEM Ambassadors bring through their expertise, ideas and professional networks. The hands-on activities will give visitors a real insight into biomedical science and the vital role it plays in healthcare.”
A team of STEM Ambassadors working across biomedical science and healthcare will be on hand alongside Institute of Biomedical Science members to engage and interact with visitors.
Emma Lockley, Events and Engagement Manager at the Institute of Biomedical Science said:
“We’re really excited to be bringing the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) Learning Lab, our mobile outreach vehicle, to Armagh Planetarium and giving families the chance to discover the fascinating world of biomedical science.
“Biomedical scientists play a vital role in healthcare, testing patient samples and providing results that help doctors diagnose and treat disease. The Learning Lab takes some of that science out of the laboratory and gives visitors the chance to get hands-on, try activities for themselves and meet biomedical scientists who can tell them more about what they do.
“We hope lots of families will come along, have a go and discover just how much science goes on behind the scenes of healthcare.”
The Learning Lab will be open to visitors at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th September 2026 from 10am to 5pm. Admission to the Lab activities is included free as part of the Planetarium visitor experience.
For more information visit: What’s On? – Armagh Observatory and Planetarium.
The STEM Ambassador Programme, managed by STEM Learning and funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), is a UK-wide initiative that connects professionals from a broad range of industries with young people, helping to ignite a lasting interest in STEM subjects.
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