St Mary’s students share their love of science at Big Biology Day 2022

St Mary’s students joined more than 40 exhibitors at Hills Road Sixth Form College on Saturday 15 October 2022 to share their love of science at the Big Biology Day (BBD). The fun-packed, educational day brought the wonder of biology to Cambridge and was a big hit with attending crowds of all ages.

BBD is one of the largest events of its kind in the UK and aims to inspire young people to consider following courses and careers relating to biology. Due to Covid, the event has been unable to take place the past two years, but it was back with a bang this year. The free-to-attend event was filled with expert exhibitors demonstrating the exciting world of biology to visitors. Attendees were also able to meet scientists and health professionals from a wide-range of backgrounds, receive careers advice from the many organisations and institutes exhibiting, as well as get up close to some majestic birds of prey.

There was so much science to discover at the event with St Mary’s students offering visitors the chance to:

· Take a closer look at microscopic organisms in action

· Flower dissection

· Make a giant 3D flower

· Flower chromatography

· Learn about inherited genes from parents and how it influences physical characteristics

· Make leaf and seed dials

· Test their nature skills and knowledge.

A range of other hands-on biology activities were available from a diverse range of exhibitors including Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge University Division of Virology, Alzheimer’s Research, Cambridge Natural History Society and many more! The full day also included entertainment, alongside education and careers advice.

A special feature this year was a lunchtime talk by Georgie Bull entitled “Spurdog: Underdog of our oceans?” Georgie recently completed her BSc (Hons) in Marine Biology & Coastal Ecology at the University of Plymouth and is an award-winning underwater photographer and filmmaker. She has a love of the world’s unloved species and is determined to share this with the world.

BBD is organised by Cambridge Biologists and began over two decades ago in 2012. The event is sponsored by AstraZeneca and hosted in partnership with the Cambridge Festival.

St Mary’s students who volunteered at BBD were each working towards their Youth STEMM Award – with the event counting towards ‘Inspiring the next generation’ and ‘Engaging the public’. The Youth STEMM Award allows students to log the hours they spend doing extra-curricular activities involving science, technology, engineering, maths or medicine (STEMM). Students can work towards their bronze, silver or gold awards and on completion will receive a medal and certificate.

Find out more about Youth STEMM  awards at St Mary's School