MPLS primary science day

Each June science departments across the Maths, Physics and Life Sciences (MPLS) division come together along with St Joh’s College and Trinity College to host some Oxford city state primary schools in two days of exciting hands‐on workshops. This is the first year that the Department of Biology has taken part with a hands-on activity inspired by the Darwin Tree of Life project and previous activities by entomologist Dr Liam Crowley.  

The biology workshop ‘Pollinator Pals’ involved the year 5/6 classes learning about the importance of animal classification before focusing on insects, their role in pollination and really getting to know a few of them close up under the microscope.

Zoom out quiz images

A zoom out quiz held at the end of the sessions reminded our guests that although looking at insects down the microscope has a wow factor, as scientists it is important to also look at the bigger picture and use as many tools as possible to study insects. It is tough to identify an insect from just one very zoomed in image - but one child guessed all 3 from the first picture!

The children were encouraged to classify some insects and to observe them carefully whilst drawing some features that interested them. They were helped and inspired by our very own insect experts, DPhil students William Pain who studies predatory wasps and Biliana Todorova and Andrew Spires who both work in the Oxford Biology Fly lab.

Dr Sarah Hilton our Communications and Engagement Manager said

‘It was great to see the children’s (and teachers) attitudes change from ‘Ugh! to Ooh!’ over the course of the workshop’

This event is co-ordinated by the Department of Chemistry - you can find more information about how to get involved on their website here.