This year’s Biology Week had something for everyone! The week started by making the entire College community scratch and squirm as the Biology reps delivered a Prayers exploring the spookier side of biology - zombie ants and face mites anyone?
The daily Bio Blast email encouraged everyone to ‘get informed’, and students have done this by attending lunchtime talks from their Biology teachers as they shared their passions. Terrific tortoises, magnificent moths and a debate on the greatest virus highlighted the breadth of interests of our department. The overall general knowledge of the student body was put to the test in competitive break time Kahoot quizzes!
Biology Week falls in Black History Month and each Bio Blast profiled a heroine of the Biological sciences you might not have been aware of at the start of the week.
After school sessions have seen our students get involved in a range of workshops including building tabletop terrarium and making pressed flower pottery, while SFC students had a delicious time using strawberry laces and marshmallows to help understand epigenetics.
The week also included a talk from Harriet Lester, biochemist and co-founder of VitaeGUM, titled ‘Innovating with Biochemistry: Careers in Academia and Industry’.
Harriet Lester’s talk on the interdisciplinary work with biochemistry, innovation and business was exceptional.
She shared her journey from academia to industry and finally starting her own business, as well as being a venture capitalist. It was inspirational to listen to the challenges she overcame and her eventual road to success. She stressed the importance of integrating academia and business, as many brilliant innovations could stem from academia.
My favourite part of the talk was hearing her describe the heartwarming story regarding the reason behind her start up, VitaeGUM. Upon seeing the vitamin deficiencies in people living at a refugee camp, she created a chewing gum filled with vitamins, which not only increased vitamin intake but also improved dental hygiene.
When I spoke with Harriet after the talk, she kindly offered me valuable advice on transitioning from academia to business. My biggest takeaway was from the talk was: don’t be afraid to trial and error. Ultimately, being able to pick yourself up and reflecting on the experience will lead to your success. - Raye, SFC2
The final event of the week was a David Attenborough film night encouraging us to reflect on our collective environmental responsibilities.
Biology Week aims to celebrate the biosciences and reminds us that innovation in biology will help us support all life on Earth now, and in the coming decades.
Ms Stuart, Teacher of Biology
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