STUDENTS from Bethnal Green Technology College were one of the first school groups to visit the new Centre of the Cell based in the school of medicine in Whitechapel as part of an unusual science debate programme. Pupils from Year 7 took part in a week

STUDENTS from Bethnal Green Technology College were one of the first school groups to visit the new Centre of the Cell based in the school of medicine in Whitechapel as part of an unusual science debate programme.

Pupils from Year 7 took part in a week-long programme to teach them how to research a topic, prepare a well-argued case on a scientific subject, put together a presentation and deliver it in front of their classmates.

Volunteers from law firm Allen & Overy, which has London offices in Canary Wharf and Spitalfields helped put the pros and cons of 'Neurons are better than cartilage cells.'

They joined research scientist, Dr Martin Knight from Queen Mary, University of London's Centre for Materials Research who studies cartilage and talked to the students about its properties and purpose at the centre in the Blizzard Building.

Emma Shaw, pro bono and community affairs officer at Allen and Overy said: "Getting students interested in science at this stage of their education is really important when we know there are fewer young people going on to study science, technology and maths as they get older.