The University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories (MRL) and the MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit (MDU) took part in three ‘family days’ at the Cambridge Science Festival in March, exploring the role of fat in normal everyday life.

With activities that included two specially designed quizzes, a card game and the new improved ‘Blubber hand challenge’ we showed children (and adults) how different animals use fat to provide energy, cushioning and insulation in various situations, demonstrating that fat has both good as well as bad properties.

Children also got to make lemonade from the basic raw ingredients, surprising many with just how much sugar is in ordinary fizzy drinks – its fair to say that parents especially were horrified!

On Sunday 23rd March at the Clinical School, our volunteers helped children use fruit to power light bulbs; children also dressed up as scientists and tried their hands at pipetting in a short experiment.

Thank you to all our volunteers for your expertise and enthusiasm, and to everyone who came to see us. Both weekends were tiring but incredibly rewarding.

Some pictures of the MRL and MDU from the Cambridge Science Festival 2014 (15-16th March at the Corn Exchange and 23rd March at the Clinical School)