St Gregory’s Catholic College is a Specialist Arts College based in Bath.  Working regularly with Creative Learning Agency, they contacted us to recruit a poet or a writer who is also a biologist to work with groups of Yr 10 Triple Science pupils.  The artist was required to work with a group of pupils on a multi arts project on Stem Cell Research including the ethics of embryo research in search of possible medical therapies.  The artist needed to understand enough about the area to help with concepts, but the essential part of the brief was to help write 'non-scientific' text which will was used to accompany a performance piece either as spoken text or in a programme.  The piece was performed to the public at the egg in Bath.
 

'St Gregory’s Catholic Secondary School engaged me to work with Year 9 triple science students to explore the topic of stem cells through creative writing and music.  In a series of workshops, we discussed the scientific background and various metaphors of risk and reward. The myth of Icarus, from their English curriculum, figured prominently.' Dr Joel

'Dr Joel’s Poetry / Lyrics writing sessions were part of a larger project ‘Stem Cells – Reaching for the Sky’ which had lasted a full year; Sept 2009 – July 2009.  This was to investigate the science of stem cells and current research into their therapeutic use.' Andrew Jackson, St Gregory's

'The students worked in small groups to write lyrics and poetry. Some lyrics were even set to music and recorded, using the school's ICT suite. Gifted visual artists among the students volunteered to make drawings based on the myth of Icarus.

The outcomes were celebrated at performances, and hundreds of students from other schools attended 2 days of workshops and creative activities organised by the school at the egg theatre in Bath.'  Dr Joel

'The outcome was a dance piece to original live music performed to the public and to 750 school aged participants at Kingswood School Theatre, Bath.  The school shows were set in ‘workshop’ days with morning arts workshops leading to afternoon performances.

We employed a Composer in Residence, Choreographer in Residence, designer, visual artist, poet, film-maker / animator.  The project was funded by a Wellcome Trust Award of £30K.' Andrew Jackson, St Gregory's

St Gregory's have subsequently been awarded a further £30K grant from Wellcome Trust to produce a piece which centres on Blood & Organ Donation and Transplant.  This is called a Matter of Death and Life and Death.  It is scheduled for performances in July 2011.

For further information please contact Creative Learning Agency or contact Dr Joel