Schools put science on big screen

Students produced, directed and starred in their 10-minute movies

The work of young filmmakers probing the complex world of biomedical science is to be showcased at central London's Science Museum.

Six schools from across the UK won the chance to make animated pieces, dramas and reality-style shows with a £7,000 budget and the help of professionals.

They were tasked with bringing biomedical science topics to life.

In one of the films, stem cell therapy was tackled through the eyes of a pupil left paralysed by a rugby accident.

Other subjects explored include plastic surgery, organ donation and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

The project called Big Screen Science is run by First Light, the UK Film Council's young people's initiative, and aims to encourage teachers to explore creative ways of teaching biomedical science.

Sarah Wolkowski, teacher at inner city comprehensive Abraham Moss High School in Manchester, said making The Perry Pigger Show about xenotransplantation (animal to human transplants) had been a life-changing experience for pupils.

"Not all of them were really into science before we started but now they probably know more about xenotransplantation than most people because they have had to research it to write the film," she said.