Marvellous Medicine Badge Days and Challenge Pack

I am the lead organiser of the marvellous medicine event hosted by The University of Liverpool Pharmacology Department will feature hands on activities to demonstrate how we make and test new medicines.  The events will run a programme for younger participants (~ 200 rainbows, beavers, brownies and cubs) and a different programme of activities  for older participants (~ 150 guides, scouts, rangers and explorers).  

Last year our places sold out in minutes.  This year we will open a ballot for a set period of time and places then be randomly assigned.  Preference will be given to units that have not attended before.  I will then send out invoices and will confirm bookings once payments has been made.

Dates for your diary:

  • Scouting 21st March 2026 9:30-4pm
  • Girlguiding 18th April 2026 9:30-4pm
  • Booking ballot open 26th January 2026 - 13th February 2026: 
  • Units will be notified via email their outcome w/c 16th February 2026.  

There will be a charge £8 per participant to cover registration, all activities and the badge.  Leaders are free to attend, refreshments and a badge will be provided.  Please remember to bring your insulated mug with lid!

For those unable to attend in person, a badge syllabus is also available for groups to complete the badge within their unit / pack setting.


Campus map - coach drop off and parking - pedestrian route to CTL

On the day:

  • Registration (What3Words: number.text.riches) is from 9:30 am with the welcome session to begin at 10am.  Activities will begin at 10:30am

  • Refreshments: Tea and Coffee will be provided for leaders.  Please bring a mug with lid. No food or drink in the labs please. 

  • Pack lunches will be required and there is space within the building to sit with your unit and eat together.  Lunch ~ 50 mins

  • Belongings must be stored in the lockers.
  • Please can rainbow, beavers, cubs and brownies bring along an old, mans shirt or lab coat to protect your uniform.

  • The event will be held in the Central Teaching labs at the top of Brownlow hill.  University of Liverpool Central Teaching Laboratories, Liverpool L69 7ZD 

  • Liverpool Lime Street is within easy walking distance ~ 10mins.

  • Each activity will have 1-2 university volunteers leading the activity.  They will be wearing black UoLiv T-Shirts.

  • We are expecting to host 30 participants per group, so smaller units may be asked join with another unit. 

  • There are 6 x 30 minute activity groups for younger children and 5 x 40 minute activity groups for older children. 

  • Groups will be responsible for their own first aid, collecting consent forms and ratios.  Supervising adults (leaders and parent volunteers) should adhere to Girlguiding and Scouting safeguarding policies for DBS checks.

  • Social Media: Don’t forget to share your day on social media and tag us.
    Instagram @livunipharma @drlaurarandle
    Bluesky @livuniengagehls.bsky.social.  @livuni-ismib.bsky.social
    Use the tag line  #UoLMarvellousMedicine

  • Health and Safety:  Please advise the session leaders if you have any participants with allergies or additional needs. The event risk assessment has been sent to all group leaders. We will be entering the labs so uniform should be worn with sensible shoes (toes must be covered). Legs must also be covered (no shorts or skirts) and long hair tied back.  It would be most helpful if participants could bring along a man’s old shirt to use as a ‘lab coat’.  It should button up the front and cover their arms. Additional personal protective equipment e.g. goggles and gloves will be provided, where appropriate.
  • Map of CTL with activity locations


Rainbows and Brownies / Beavers and Cubs Activities (5-10 year olds)*

  1. Overview - Learn about pharmacology and how we make new medicines
  2. New Targets - Design a new medicine
  3. Does It Work? - Help us to test our new medicines
  4. My Medicine - Create your own medicine that is as unique as you
  5. Making Medicines - Learn how we make medicines from plants
  6. Is It Safe? - Learn about how test medicines on people.


Guides, Rangers and Scouts ( 10-16 year olds)*

  1. Target ID - Identify new medicinal targets and have a go at high throughput screening
  2. Lead optimisation - Analyses a panel of compounds and determine which should be put forward for further testing in the drug discovery and development pipeline
  3. Pre-Clinical Models - Learn about different types of experimental models and plan an experiment
  4. Drug Formulation - Learn how we formulate medicines to change how quickly they work by prepare and optimising a coating for your tablet.
  5. Drug Safety - Learn about personalised medicines and how one size does not fit all.


*activities subject to change

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