Year 11 visit to Baylab
The Science department ran a trip to the Bayer UK, BayLab on Wednesday 28th September 2022. Bayer is based in a beautiful waterside setting in Reading; it is a laboratory for schools which offers state of the art equipment, intriguing experiments, and the chance to use innovative ideas to solve tasks and develop solutions.
The theme of the trip was “What makes us different from each other?” The year 11 students explored what makes them different from Captain America, or Wolverine or any other superhero.
Students explored the biological concept of ‘mutations’ - what they are, where they occur and why they are significant. They constructed their own DNA molecules, helping them to learn about genetic structure, and how changes in our genetic code (mutations) can cause variation. They also learned about Mitosis and Meiosis (two processes that can increase variation) via a series of fun and interactive activities. In the afternoon there was an experimental part of the day: DNA Extraction; in this session, students also explored genetic variation, and tested whether we had our very own superheroes in the class - the superpower of not tasting the bitterness in brussels sprouts and broccoli! The year 11's heard from Bayer’s very own geneticists and interns finding about their route into Bayer and prove that maybe, just maybe, we can all be scientific superheroes after all.
Mrs Brogden
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