The Biology Battle

The long waited Biology Model Building Competition was held in Delta Theatre on 27th February, 2015 from 8:30am to 10:30am. The contestants consisted of BS1, BS2, and BS3 students who have been preparing since the beginning of the month. The judges were Ms Leong, Ms Liew, Mr Arvin, and Ms Prima, Ms Liew, Mr Arvin, and Ms Prima, who were in charge of assessing every single group in regards to their skills of innovation, accuracy and presentation from the models and posters produced.

19 groups, with 5 students each, participated with producing models of various topics, such as protein, synthesis of extra cellular enzyme, plant cell, plasma membrane and so on. Similarly to diversity of topics, models were created by numerous materials from jelly and styrofoam to paper and sponge.

Originally only 3 prizes were prepared, but due to the high standards of all the models in general, 2 extra prizes were given. 5th place went to group 3(Ashley Yap, Leanne Ng, Rou Jie Ooi, Yun Lin Liew and Nandita Kambli) as they presented their three-dimensional plasma membrane clearly. 4th place was presented to group 19 (Evonne Phua, Chin Lyn Goh, Jing Er Ng, Dolly Chong and Nicholas Chong) for their interactive model of exocytosis and endocytosis.

Group 10 (Nicole Yeo, Elizabeth Yeoh, Hui Ling Pung, Ting Wen Wong and Joe Yee Tang) took the 3rd place with the creative use of magnets to demonstrate their topic, synthesis of extra cellular enzyme. First runner-up was group 11(Nurul Aiman, Doyoon Kim, Kaythrriiee Ganesan, Alissa Sonia and Dhanisha Kaur Saini), which won with their creative representation of plant cell with the use of jelly. The glorious 1st place was awarded to group 4(Teng E-Wei, Chee Ken Thong, Wai Sheng Tan, Mahdev Singh Sachdev and Rohen). Group 4's plant cell model was detailed and creative. By using light bulbs, the model was not only informative, but beautiful.

This competition brought students out of their comfort zone and allowed them to explore further by doing their own research. 'We saw and learned from the actual biological structures in 3D, so I feel that my knowledge is more in-depth', Kam from BS3 remarked. 'It was a really useful experience as I got to know my classmates better', commented Elizabeth from BS2.

It is astonishing to know that even though the fact that DNA is double helix was discovered when Ms Lauren, the principal was a student a few years back, the students now are learning it as an obvious truth. The progress in mankind’s exploration of biology is truly amazing.

Every student had given in all of their efforts to create wonderful models. Thus, regardless wins or losses, it was still a valuable experience for everyone.

Written by,
Kate Kim,
Member of Writing Department,
Editorial Board TCSH

Photos by, 
Samantha Yong,
Head of Photography Department,
Editorial Board TCSH