MABIC was given the opportunity to reach out to Form Three students in Sri Dasmesh, a private school, recently to talk about the opportunities that come from studying biology.
We were asked to come in as the teachers were concerned about an increasing trend among students to drop biology in Form Four.
This was due to students believing that biology was merely memorizing facts and regurgitating it during the exam.
So from the get go, we had an uphill task ahead of us.
It’s always an interesting experience going to schools to build interest in science, because that’s truly where the rubber meets the road.
Having been doing this for a few months now, there’s nothing more hard-hitting than when you are standing in front of 15 year olds, trying to convince them that life sciences is worth their attention.
It’s a whole other challenge to speaking to university students or PhD candidates, where facts, numbers, policies and abstract designs hold value and are relatable.
Truly, when communicating with those who are taking baby steps into science, the key is to communicate essence of science and the reason for technology.
It’s interesting that in GCE A-levels, in Biology in the American syllabus, and in first year university, the first lecture is always a quick study in the philosophy behind the life sciences and biology.
Nonetheless, I do work for a not-for-profit, so I have every right to be idealistic. J
Anyway, back to the story, we managed to get the students pretty excited especially after a quick play with DNA in the lab. We are heading back to Sri Dasmesh to speak to the teachers in Dec!
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