Inspiring future careers at the Royal Norfolk Show

Activities included: 

• Quiz and drawing - Pupils were encouraged to draw germs and parasites on our drawing wall and explore the ‘superpowers’ white blood cells use to fight infection in our quiz.
• Infection control - this interactive activity allowed children to take part in a fake surgery on a stuffed toy dog, Bob, who had eaten numerous inedible objects. The children could take out the organs and match them to the pictures and feel along the large intestine to identify any foreign objects present. This activity was used to highlight the risks of infection and how these are managed in a veterinary setting.
• Microscope - Using a microscope, pupils (individually or in small groups) had the opportunity to view different parasites on prepared slides. They were encouraged to compare what they saw with a range of 3D parasite models, to support learning and discussion.

On the stand, RCVS staff were joined by various veterinary professionals and students, who helped to impart their knowledge to the next generation of budding veterinary professionals.

Veterinary nurse and veterinary nursing lecturer, Victoria Bowes-Keegan RVN, said: “The show was great and very interesting. The children were really engaged, particularly digging around in the dog’s abdomen and finding the organs and looking at microbes through the microscope.

“Attending the event helped open peoples’ eyes to different veterinary careers pathways - I had children asking questions about veterinary nursing and how to get into it.”

Sally Bowden RVN, another veterinary nurse and veterinary nursing lecturer who joined us on the stand, added: “Engaging with the kids was fantastic. I think it’s really important to start engaging with people about the professions as early as you can to get them to realise that they can be involved in it, that it’s accessible to everybody, and to give them memories that will last.

“As they grow up, they might remember how much they enjoyed doing a mock surgery, for example, which could lead to them considering a future career in the professions.”

For more on veterinary careers, visit our dedicated student and careers page.