Biology Week was celebrated this year at Wallace from 7 to 11 October. This annual event is organised by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) with the aim of celebrating the fascinating world of biology by offering a myriad of events for students to engage with.
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This year, Wallace Biology Week was packed with exciting activities, talks, and competitions aimed at inspiring students across all year groups to explore the wonders of biology. From quizzes to dissections, there was something for everyone. Here’s a rundown of the highlights!
Biology Quiz and Cells Challenge
Throughout the week, all students had the chance to participate in a Biology Quiz. Separate quizzes were designed for each key stage, allowing pupils to test their biology knowledge in an exciting and competitive way. The winners from each year were as follows: Sophie Bodor (Year 8); Emilia Baird and Zach Domonikibau (Year 9); Ellie Reid (Year 10); Kate Kamalarajah and Riley Lynas (Year 11); Jessica Wilson (Year 12); Zofia Nowacka (Year 13); Isaac Allen and Isobel Lamont (Year 14). Ms Kavanagh was the top staff member!
All Year 8 students took part in the Biology Cells Challenge, where they were tasked with creating a model of a cell. They could make their cell models using anything from Lego to craft materials, with many students choosing to bake. The students were extremely creative, and some of the cell models were truly impressive! Prizes were awarded for the best cell model in each class set, making it a fun way to apply what the students have been learning about this term.
Career Opportunities
Throughout the week, senior students in Years 13 and 14 had the opportunity to learn how studying biology could lead to a variety of careers. We were delighted to have returning past pupils share their career journeys in biology, along with guest speakers from Almac. There were also afternoon virtual talks for Year 14 students organised by the RSB on topics such as Molecular Modelling, Coral Reef Research, Studying Wildlife from Space, and The Science of Why We Exist.
Dr Rachel Bingham, Class of 2018, returned to share her biology journey from studying Medical Biosciences in London to working in cancer research. Rachel provided insights into studying a biology-related degree, completing a PhD, and what it’s like to work in cutting-edge research.
Dr Jane Mueller, who works in biocatalysis at Almac, spoke to Year 13 students, giving them an insight into a day in the life of a biologist at Almac, and provided an overview of the range of disciplines and potential career paths within this global pharmaceutical company.
Year 14 pupils attended a virtual session with former pupil Timothy Wiggam, who shared his experiences of studying medicine. He explained the demands and rewards of a medical degree and offered tips for balancing life and university studies. This talk was particularly helpful for those considering applying for careers allied to health.
Dissection Day
One of the most exciting activities for KS3 pupils was Dissection Day. Over 50 students in Years 8 to 10 had the rare opportunity to dissect hearts, kidneys, and chicken feet under the guidance of biology staff and Year 14 biology students. The dissections provided students with a hands-on experience of the anatomy of the organs under study, along with an appreciation of their functions. This session was highly popular, with students participating enthusiastically in this interactive learning experience.
Biology Bake Off
Thursday saw the much-anticipated A-Level Biology Bake Off, where Year 13 and 14 students baked biology-themed cakes. The competition was fierce! A selection of Wallace staff judged the cakes based on taste, creativity, and biological accuracy. The overall winner was Isobel Lamont (Year 14) with an amazing cake illustrating succession, just beating Kyle Banks’ beautiful tooth cake. For Year 13, Toby Lynas came top with his homemade biscuits, which intricately demonstrated the stages of mitosis.
Spelling Bee
The week concluded with the WHS Biology Spelling Bee Finals. Heats had taken place throughout the week, with winning students in each year group competing in the final showdown on Friday during lunch. It was a tightly contested competition, with students cheered on by a large crowd of supporters from across the year groups. Kate Kamalarajah (Year 11) secured the top spot by spelling an extraordinary 36 biology-themed words in two minutes.
Overall, Wallace Biology Week was a fantastic celebration, offering students numerous opportunities to engage with biology in exciting and creative ways.
Head of department Dr Susan Terris commented: “The continued success of this yearly event reflects the dedication of the Biology staff within Wallace, who have created an enriching and varied experience for all our students.”
You can find out more about the Royal Society of Biology via the link below:
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Biology Week 2023:
Last modified: November 6, 2024
