Author: Ms. Norris

Deadline to register is Friday March 8th for the U of T Biology Contest held April 25th 2019 

About the 2019 Competition

The 25th annual University of Toronto National Biology Competition will be held at participating schools on Thursday, April 25, 2019.

The aim of the competition is to provide all high school students with an opportunity to test their knowledge and understanding of biology. We encourage participation of younger students, especially those in Grade 11.

• The Top 5% of students in Canadian schools will receive certificates designating them as National Biology Scholars; the Top 1% as National Biology Scholars with Distinction. Cash prizes will be awarded to the Top 1%.
• The Top 5% of students in schools outside of Canada will receive certificates designating them as International Biology Scholars; the Top 1% as International Biology Scholars with Distinction. Cash prizes will be awarded to the Top 1
• Admission scholarships, valued at $3,000, will be awarded to the top 15 students (of all participants) in the 2018 competition to register in the Faculty of Arts and Science at the University of Toronto (St. George campus).
• The top three Canadian schools and the top three schools outside of Canada each receive a Certificate of Excellence.

More Information is Available Here: https://www.biocomp.utoronto.ca/

If you are a grade 11 or 12 student who loves to learn about Science and especially about molecular biology, this conference is for you! Follow the link below to sign up, it is hosted at UBC and is happening October 2nd, 2018.

Overview:

This year, AMBL will host a special and free full day science education conference in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Michael Smith winning his Nobel Prize. Here, we will utilize a variety of UBC facilities, with help from GenomeBC, UBC Microbiology and Immunology, the Gairdner Foundation, and STEMCELL Technologies – this includes keynotes and a rotation of practical molecular biology sessions for up to 180 participants.

Sign up and find out more here:

Michael Smith Celebration of the 25th Anniversary of his Nobel Prize (High School Conference)

Have you ever wondered how fast a bobsled goes or the physics behind building a bobsled course- what does kinetic energy have to do with it all anyways? How do muscles contract and relax to help figure skaters perfect their jumps? How is neuroscience and sport psychology giving athletes an edge? And how ’bout the chemistry behind those Opening Ceremony Fireworks? The science behind the scenes at the Olympics is sik!

Your Mission:

Brainstorm as many questions as you can about the Science behind the Olympics!

Choose 1-3 questions to really delve into and find an eye catching / engaging way to share some cool science facts about an Olympic sport/ event/ etc as our Science 8H class will be competing in an Olympic door decorating challenge and sharing our Science Facts on the door by Feb 23rd.

The school principal and her team of judges will be touring the school to find the most inspiring Olympic themed door on Feb 23rd.

Let’s go for GOLD!

You May Want to Start Olympic quest here:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/curling-science-2018-1.4537448

http://www.nbclearn.com/science-of-the-olympic-winter-games

https://www.scientificamerican.com/report/science-at-the-2018-winter-olympics/

https://www.wired.com/story/winter-olympics-2018-can-ski-wax-help-win-gold/

The Team of Experts Working with Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Athletes

Wayyyy back when the first microscope was invented scientists discovered a whole new world!

Today, scanning electron microscopes along with all sorts of interesting new technology are not only letting us take a closer look at cells but also to investigate what’s inside them, how they communicate, how they reproduce, mutate and more! Technology exists to develop artificial cells, grow cell tissue in laboratories and is even blurring the line between living and non living things more than ever!

Use your research skills to find a technology you are interested in that relates to cells and living things. Describe it here and share what makes it innovating and exciting! Next, explore and comment respectfully and inquisitively on your classmates’ posts 🙂

In many of my biology classes we begin studying living things by examining, categorising and defining the characteristics of living things.

Such was the case in Science 8H today, however there is new technology that is pushing the current boundaries us humans have created 😉 What issues do you think might arise from the creation of machines designed to respond like humans? We took some time to listen to an interview with Sophia- a robot designed to create relationships.

Should robots designed to think and react like humans be considered living?

Take a read or a listen, meet Sophia and let us know what you think!

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=57874#