A day of curiosity and possibility: future doctors step into 'Mini Med Day'

Posted on: 16 April 2025

On a bright morning in April 140 wide-eyed primary school children marched through the front gates of Trinity College Dublin. For many, it may have been their very first step onto a university campus— and the beginning of possible dreams taking shape.

They were here for something special: Mini Med Day, the second annual Trinity Access Programmes (TAP) Primary School Med Day, a day where science and imagination collide. Designed to spark curiosity and plant the seeds for future careers in medicine and healthcare, this event offered young students a rare glimpse into the fascinating world of doctors, researchers, and scientists.

The children—5th and 6th class students from DEIS-designated schools across Dublin—were buzzing with energy.

Their adventure began with a bang: an energetic and interactive lecture from  Professor Luke O’Neill, one of Ireland’s most beloved science communicators. Standing before them in the Lloyd Institute, he transformed complex ideas about viruses, bacteria, and the immune system into thrilling tales. With humour, enthusiasm, and boundless energy, he urged them to consider a future in science:

“What better job could you have than being a doctor or a scientist—helping people!? Come to Trinity, we need you to make discoveries to help stop malaria, multiple sclerosis, and cancer. Come join us and do research!”

Prof. Luke O'Neill and some of the students who attended Mini Med Day 2025

Inspired by Luke’s lecture the students rolled up their sleeves—literally. With the help of Trinity’s Med Day Committeeand a team of passionate volunteers, they pulled on scrubs and lab coats and got stuck into hands-on activities. They learned how to perform CPR, tested each other’s pulse and reflexes, examined real X-rays, and even got a taste of how to use medical tools like stethoscopes.

In every corner of the room, questions flew, laughter echoed, and imaginations ignited. Medical and healthcare students from Trinity chatted with the kids about what it’s like to study medicine—what inspired them, what challenges they faced, and how rewarding their journey has been.

But Mini Med Day is about more than just science. As Wendy Crampton, Director of Trinity Access Programmes, put it:

“This initiative is about more than just introducing students to healthcare careers—it’s about instilling a sense of curiosity and possibility.”

Mini Med Day is part of a larger TAP programme that reaches over 1,000 students every year through workshops and campus visits, helping young minds see a future they may never have imagined possible.

Since 2002, Trinity’s Med Day Committee has raised over €1 million for local healthcare services, giving back in meaningful ways. Ellie O'Kane, the committee’s Chairperson, summed up the spirit of the day:

“ Trinity College’s Med Day was formed on the basis of giving back to our local hospitals and communities. It gives medical students an opportunity to display their gratitude to patients and healthcare staff for all they do for us. We’ve had a terrific year thus far and have raised over €70,000 for essential hospital projects.

"Outside of our fundraising efforts, we team up with the Trinity Access Programme (TAP) to organise educational and fun workshops with students who could avail of TAP supports in the future. This has become a highlight for our committee every year. We completed our secondary school session in February and so we’re very excited to welcome the primary school kids into Trinity for another taste of what life is like as a student doctor!”

Professor Luke O’Neill, Chair of Biochemistry, Trinity College, said:

“I love speaking to primary school students at the ‘Mini Med day’. It’s a great opportunity to get them interested in medicine and science. Some of them will hopefully become tomorrow’s doctors and we need them, especially given the pace medical science is moving. My aim is to tell them about immunology and medicine in a way that’s fun and hopefully inspiring.”

This year, students from seven schools joined the experience:

• Scoil Chaitríona, Baggot Street
• Our Lady of Good Counsel BNS, Drimnagh
• St. Anne’s Primary School, Fettercairn
• St. James’s Primary School, Basin Lane
• Scoil Cholmcille SNS, Ballybrack
• Our Lady of Lourdes SNS, Inchicore
• Marist Primary School, Crumlin

By the end of the event, the students left Trinity with new knowledge, memories, and perhaps, the dream of returning one day—not as visitors, but as the doctors, scientists, and innovators of tomorrow.

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