Children and their families from Somers Town have been busy producing illustrations for books telling a Crick-related story.
Three groups from the Working Men's College, One KX, and Somers Town Community Centre all started work on their unique books in March. All attended workshops with artists to learn about illustration, sculpture and screen printing techniques, as well as sessions with scientists and architects to find out more about the Crick.
The youngest group, aged 7 to 12, explored the difference between infection and diseases, such as malaria and cancer, while 10- to 16-year-olds learned all about the design, construction, and the purpose of the Crick building. The third group, made up of children and their families, explored artefacts from the Wellcome Collection connected to themes and ideas associated with the Crick, such as the discovery of DNA.
Alexis Mannion, the Crick's Education and Outreach Manager, said: "With the construction of the Crick having progressed so much recently, we wanted to ensure that local children fully understood what this big new building in their neighbourhood is actually going to do.
"We realised that all of our publications were aimed at an adult audience, and that we had no literature or information for younger people. The illustrators and children's writer have been fantastic, the children and their parents really enjoyed the workshop sessions, and everyone is thrilled with how the books have turned out. We hope that the books will be used in schools, libraries, and community centres both now and for many months and years to come."
The project was run in partnership with Pop Up Projects, a not-for-profit organisation that inspires children, families, and communities through books and stories. The books will be distributed to local schools and community groups.
If you are a school teacher and you would like a copy of the books, please email education@crick.ac.uk
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