Finding a cure for disease is perceived as one of the nobler forms of scientific research. It is certainly slightly more accessible to the lay person than other forms of research are. In this health- conscious age of ours, we have more of an understanding of how our bodies work, and how diseases and different medical conditions affect us.

Scientific research has seen a massive growth in Ireland, and it is often surprising to see what sorts of things are being pioneered on our doorstep. The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, for example, rather than being simply a medical school, is a major research institution as well, specialising in biomedical and clinical research. The college is keen to spread the word, and for the past few years it has been hosting select groups of transition-year students from all over the country, who spend a week at the college, learning about the research that is taking place as well as getting hands-on laboratory experience.

According to Dr Helen McVeigh, the college's education and outreach officer, demand for places has been huge. Students must get approval from their schools before applying. They then apply directly to the college.

Caroline Kelly of Scoil Mhuire in Strokestown, Co Roscommon, for example, did extremely well in her Junior Cert science exam. "My teacher was surfing the internet and she came across this, so she put myself and another student forward for it."

The idea of the programme is to give students an idea of what this kind of research is like and, with luck, encourage their interest in the area. Students begin the week with an induction and a health-and-safety talk; then they are assigned to labs and research groups. The week is made up of a mixture of talks, tours and practical experience. The students found some of the research projects very interesting indeed.

"There was one project where they scan your face, and it can help to diagnose schizophrenia," says Fionn Mag Uidhir, a student at Maynooth Post-Primary School, in Co Kildare. "Wednesday was the best day," says Christina Taite of Cabinteely Community College, in south Dublin. "We looked at anatomy and we got to make hand cream in the lab."

All of the students seemed to enjoy the anatomy module, and Cork student Tara Gibbons was fascinated by one particular research project. "At the moment, if somebody's face is seriously damaged in an accident, surgeons have to rebuild it using plates and screws," she says. "This researcher was looking at how to plant cells in the damaged area, so you could actually grow new bones, like a jaw bone. It's amazing to think that you could be doing research to help somebody who has had an accident like that."

The students gave a unanimously positive verdict when asked about the experience. "I think that this week would be great for anyone with an interest in science," says Chris Ferguson. Although Gorey student Michael Condren says: "You would definitely need at least some knowledge of science and the language people use." Out of the group, all wanted to have some science-related career - a point to bear in mind when applying. The places for 2006 filled up very quickly, so apply early if you are in transition year next year.

Visit www.rcsi.ie/research and click on the Education and Outreach tab