At the beginning of February, SFC1 and SFC2 biologists were invited to take part in the British Biology Olympiad competition. Over 40 students took part with some fantastic results.
Almost 15,000 students took part from over 900 schools worldwide. The top 15% achieved a Bronze award, the top 10% achieved a Silver award and only the top 5% achieved a Gold award.
We’re proud to share that we had eight students achieve Bronze, eight receive Silver and four students achieve a Gold award (Susu and Ludmilla from SFC2 and Chalsie and Elise from SFC1).
The Gold award winners were invited to the National Team selection and from this, Susu was selected as one of 16 in the country to take part in final team selection at Warwick University in April.
“Being selected as a UK finalist for the International Biology Olympiad and invited to the team selection finals at Warwick University was undoubtedly a highlight in my journey as an aspiring biologist. While the outcome didn't land me a spot on the team, I had lots of fun engaging with supportive peers and mentors.
The first day was dedicated to honing laboratory skills, from mastering micropipetting to dissecting insect larvae and flowers. In the following days, we were tested on these techniques and concepts through multiple lab-based and theory exams. The exams were intense and challenging - I was proud that I managed to find the maggot’s heartbeat on my first try!
I especially enjoyed the intersection of botany and bioinformatics; translating and blasting genetic and amino acid sequences and portraying them in 3D models visually showed me the phylogenetic links of plants and the effects of non-synonymous mutations on protein structure.
The team selection was an unforgettable experience - it challenged me to apply newfound knowledge and techniques to unfamiliar scenarios and instilled in me a deeper appreciation for the intricate adaptations in the natural world.” - Susu
We’re so proud of how far Susu got in the competition.
Mrs Williams, Teacher of Biology