Science staff surprise Year 11 by dressing up for Biology Week

Science staff dress up for Biology Week’s ‘plague, pox and pathogens’ activity

As part of this year’s Biology Week, science staff dressed up for the ‘plague, pox and pathogens’ activity. Year 11 scientists were entertained with a circus of discussions and demonstrations related to disease, bacterial growth and the history of the plague. This included Mr Short dressed as the plague doctor, discussing the relevance of the plague doctor’s mask. Ms Asante demonstrated various remedies used as part of the quack remedies for the plague, including using the flesh of a snake – demonstrated with jelly snakes! Dr Bune displayed a pustule outbreak and explained how the immune system tackles bacterial infections like the plague. Mr Chan and Ms Reid enjoyed dressing up to describe the role of vaccination and antibodies in combatting infections with Ms Blanchard calculating how quickly bacteria can replicate.

Both pupils and staff had great fun and it was good to illustrate the importance of the history of science, as well as discussing the biology of disease, and the staff showing great drama skills!