On 10th June, Dr Mike Leahy from National Geographic’s ‘Bite me!’ series and BBC ‘Horizon’, came to Painsley Catholic College. He gave highly amusing and engaging talks to students from Year 7 to Year 12 biology and media studies’ students about his life as a virologist and natural history presenter. Dr Leahy specialises in tropical diseases and parasites. Students gained a real insight into this fascinating field of biomedical science. In the evening, families attended a PTA event: ‘An audience with Dr Leahy….’. Again, he wowed audiences with his highly entertaining talk about the world of parasites and his role as a practical parasitologist. This means he actually infects himself with worms and disease to monitor the effects of these diseases!!! The serious message was that these diseases form part of the cycle of poverty and that his aim is to raise awareness of this. Student STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) Ambassadors supported the evening and raffled prizes such as a signed book by Professor Brian Cox, from his BBC series ‘The Universe’. The funds raised help to support Painsley’s twin Catholic school in Ghana. Students will visit Ghana in 2012 as part of their World Challenge expedition.

The event forms part of the college’s science specialism programme of events, fully supported by the proactive PTA at the college.