Unconventional Scientific Upheaval Transpiring Outside the Laboratory Parameters
The "Beyond the Lab: The DIY Science Revolution" exhibition, currently on display at the Science Museum until 4th September 2016, is a testament to the growing movement of individuals taking science into their own hands. This grassroots initiative, supported by the European Union through the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, showcases the extraordinary innovations made possible by affordable technology, open access to scientific knowledge, and collaborative online platforms.
Eleanor Magson, the Assistant Content Developer on the exhibition, explains, "This movement is all about democratizing science, making it accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or affiliation."
In fields like medicine and microbiology, the DIY Science Revolution has led to significant impacts. Open-source medical devices and diagnostics are being designed and built by DIY biohackers and citizen scientists, providing affordable and accessible alternatives outside of expensive clinical environments. For instance, portable devices for detecting pathogens or health conditions have been developed and shared openly.
Community biology labs and synthetic biology are also flourishing, with people engineering microbes for beneficial purposes, such as producing useful compounds or studying antibiotic resistance, outside formal institutions. During health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, DIY scientists have contributed to creating open-source PPE, ventilators, and tests, providing practical solutions when traditional supply chains were strained.
The internet is playing a crucial role in the spread of this movement, allowing greater sharing of information and collaboration among enthusiasts. Instructions for making DIY science tools like microscopes are being shared online, and events related to the exhibition will allow attendees to meet these extraordinary innovators.
One inspiring example of innovation is the design and 3D printing of a prosthetic hand. Meanwhile, diabetics are hacking their medical devices to better understand their own treatment. These examples demonstrate the potential for ordinary people to contribute to scientific discovery.
Following its run at the Science Museum, the "Beyond the Lab: The DIY Science Revolution" exhibition will embark on a European tour. Future blogs will feature insights from some of the DIY scientists themselves, offering a deeper look into this fascinating movement.
For more information about the exhibition, visit the YouTube video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23QZakyjy10. This exhibition is free and open to the public, so come and be a part of the DIY Science Revolution!
- The DIY Science Revolution, demonstrated through open-source medical devices and diagnostics, such as portable pathogen detectors, is a testament to how technology empowers individuals to make significant impacts in fields like medicine and microbiology.
- As the "Beyond the Lab: The DIY Science Revolution" exhibition tours Europe, it will highlight how accessible technology and open scientific knowledge enable ordinary people, from designing prosthetic hands to hacking medical devices, to contribute to innovative discoveries in science.
