Me and My Body (MAMBO): An Interactive Science Education Programme for Primary Schools

This paper describes a novel science education initiative developed for 8-to 12-year-old children by the Biomedical Diagnostics Institute at Dublin City University, Ireland. "Me and My Body" (MAMBO) is an interactive, multi-faceted programme that enables children to explore and understand the dynamic physiological parameters of the human body using simple sensing and diagnostic devices. The programme consists of a number of complementary elements comprising a colourfully animated website, a classroom-based series of lessons taught by a visiting educator, a curriculum-linked resource CD for teachers, and an out-of-school workshop. Topics investigated by the children include the blood, immune system, heart, and healthy living. The introduction of the programme into Irish primary schools has been met with enthusiastic responses from both students and teachers.