Biology Challenge

Aims

1. To encourage an interest in biology beyond the school curriculum and stimulate curiosity in the natural world. 

2. To involve as many pupils as possible in a challenging and interesting biology competition.

3. To act as a junior version of the British Biology Olympiad, raising its profile and encouraging participation.

Format

Biology Challenge is an online competition which takes place in schools. Questions will be set on the school curriculum but the Biology Challenge will also reward those students whose knowledge of the subject has been increased by reading books and magazines, watching natural history programmes, taking notice of the news media for items of biological interest, and are generally aware of our natural flora and fauna.

The Challenge consists of two 30 minute papers to maximise participation and provide flexibility. The two papers can be taken together or separately, whichever is more convenient to a school. Pupils do not have to take both papers; a school may want to use the more demanding second paper for the pupils who achieved the highest scores from the first.

Schools will be able to conduct the Challenge in whatever way best suits their pupils, ensuring that they enjoy participating and have a reasonable expectation of recognition for their achievements. As well as being able to submit their pupils' scores to the national competition schools will be encouraged to award their own prizes and to make use of certificates provided for them.

Timetable and rules.

The 2012 Biology Challenge will take place between Monday 5th and Friday 23rd March.

Lists of winners of Gold, Silver, Bronze, Highly Commended and Commended will be published on the competition’s website in early April.

Certificates for Gold, Silver and Bronze awards will be posted to schools during the summer term.

The competition takes place entirely online in schools and consists of two 30 minute papers.

The entry fee is £25 per school for an unlimited number of participants.

The deadline for registration is 31st January 2012.

For more information and to register, please visit:

www.biology-olympiad.org.uk and click on the Biology Challenge link.