Adriana C. and Joves i Ciència

Adriana C. is one of our students in IB1. Last May she was accepted to participate in the Joves i Ciència program along with Isabel Lammers (see last week’s newsletter). In July she went on a two week residential course and here is her account of what happened….

Joves i Ciència was a truly amazing and unique experience, probably one of the best in my life! I participated in the biomedicine project, and our objective was to modify an active agent found in lavender in order to get a possible drug for Alzheimer’s. The project was divided into two main parts: the first focused on the investigation and isolation of BACE-1, a protein involved in Alzheimer’s, and, once we had its three-dimensional structure, we passed on to the second part. This part was dedicated to the design of the drug and the study of its interaction with BACE-1, using computational biology in order to do so. Both parts were combined with theory lessons in order to understand what we were doing.

Although most of the time there was dedicated to science, we had plenty of time to socialise, play instruments and enjoy the beautiful surroundings! We did a whole day outing and had activities every evening. These included a star observation, a scientific comedy show and an orientation race where we all ended up being covered in mud! The people there were amazing and I made great friends.

When it comes to applying for Joves i Ciència, the first step is sending a written application, which includes a motivation letter saying why you chose the project and an answer to a question related to the project. Then, if you are accepted onto the second phase, you attend an interview. I personally didn’t prepare for it, but you can if that makes you feel more confident. Just keep in mind that they’re not interested in seeing how much you know, but how you can think out answers to questions you don’t know, so just show them all of your thinking! It’s true that it’s a competitive program to get into, but no one felt confident of getting in when they applied and it’s certainly worth giving it a try!

Adriana C. IB1

Joves i Ciència

Isabel Lammers (see previous post) had also been selected for the prestigious and select program “JOVES I CIÈNCIA” which runs over three years. Her first installment occurred at the start of July over two weeks and this is Isabel telling us what happened and what she did in order to be selected:

The Experience:

Going to Joves i Ciencia has been one of the most incredible experiences in my life. I chose the project on DNA, evolution and biodiversity. This first year we got to work in a laboratory in the Pyrennees using modern techniques like PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis. We also had lessons taught by some brilliant researchers from the CRG (Centre de Regulació Genòmica). We learned how to track genetic diseases, extract and sequence DNA, check for genetically modified food and lots more including how to use cool lab equipment. But it wasn’t all work; we had lots of fun too! We played games at night, went on an excursion, made great friends, explored species of the Pyrenees, watched an exciting film and even had a hilarious scientific comedy show organised for us.

The Selection:

Since there is a long selection process and a low acceptance rate, I never thought I stood much of a chance of getting in. The first part is written and I had to write about my interests, the reason I wanted to go and answer a long question. Later on I got told I had passed onto the second selection process where in an interview lasting half an hour I had to talk about myself, answer some questions and carry out a simple experiment. I thought it went terribly but after an agonizingly long time I was told I’d been accepted. So I highly recommend anyone interested in science to give it a go!

Well done to Isabel and we look forward to seeing how she develops within this program!

If you are a student or parent and are interested in pursuing any of these programs, please feel free to contact the Science Department at r.troy@oakhouseschool.com or a.raig@oakhouseschool.com or leave a comment below.

Cosmo Caixa Explainers

Maybe of our students pursue extracurricular activities that extend their school studies and one such student is Isabel Lammers.

Isabel had recently applied and been accepted for the youth program “EXPLAINERS” run by Cosmo Caixa, the Science Museum here in Barcelona.

Explainers are, and I quote:  “students, chosen for their enthusiasm, knowledge and diversity, who will explain exhibits on the museum floor and answer questions from visitors”.

The program recognizes a dual purpose in having secondary students work with the public:

• ·         to serve the museum by providing an enthusiastic face to visitors and staff;
• ·         to provide a first professional experience to participants who might not otherwise consider a career in the sciences or museum related fields.

 As part of this program, Isabel will have classes, in  a Business school, in public relations, (a very useful skill to have). She will also be getting a tour of the labs in the IQS (Institut Quimic de Sarria) which is a fantastically equipped third level educational institution.

Isabel is very lucky to get an opportunity like this. Watch this space to see how she got on!

A contented Isabel skiving off from her IB1 Chemistry class.

Exporecerca Jove

Una vegada més deixeu-me compartir amb tots vosaltres el goig que em produeix veure com els nostres alumnes participen d’activitats pròpies de la comunitat científica.

El Pepe Amich ha presentat aquest any un treball sobre proteïnes a la XV edició de l’ Exporecerca jove , treball que ha portat a terme amb la col·laboració dels científics: Jonathan Lowery, Alex Andonian i Vicki Rosen del Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge MA.

La Carla, l’Ariadna, la Júlia, el Gonzalo, la Maria i el Mauro (alumnes de la classe de biologia de 2n de Batxillerat ) ben cofois  van assistir a la primera jornada  per demostrar el seu suport i  gaudir dels estands dels altres participants.

Espero que la promoció d’aquest curs acadèmic  hagi posat la primera pedra de tot un seguit que ens aportaran les properes generacions.

Olimpiada de Biologia de Catalunya

Dissabte 8 de febrer, com ja us anunciàvem en la Newsletter de la setmana passada, vàrem assistir a l’ Olimpíada de Biologia de Catalunya. Entre pares, professors acompanyants i alumnes  aspirants es respirava l’emoció de participar. Per a mi va ser una experiència molt gratificant estar entre els futurs estudiants de carreres biosanitàries. Especial emoció em va generar veure que alguns es coneixien entre ells d’altres activitats compartides, com “Bojos per la ciència”.

Em va fer pensar en la importància de participar en activitats on els alumnes amb els mateixos interessos troben un espai d’intercanvi  d’idees.

Espero que puguem participar en properes edicions!

Member of the Oak House Science department Eulàlia Rovira with our star student, Pepe Amich

Pepe Amich showing off his certificate from the Biology Olympiad with pride.

Programa Joves i Cièncias

This is a program that is run by Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera that is very well worth entering for. This program runs over three years and is aimed at 4^th ESO students. Students will participate in Scientific research with Universities both locally and internationally in a number of different areas.

One of our 2^nd Bachillerato students, Pepe Amich,  was lucky to be awarded one of the 50 places when he was a 4^th ESO student. In his first summer with this program he was working on molecular modeling of a cell receptor thought to be implicit in a certain type of cancer. The Science he was working on was cutting edge and the things he learned invaluable. If you thought that was enough, in his second year he was off to MIT in the United States where he worked with an eminent scientist in another field. From this work he became a co-author in a scientific paper published in a top Science journal. From these experiences (and he still has one more summer to go) many doors have opened for Pepe, including acceptance on another course “Bojos per la Ciència” and also acceptance into Harvard where he starts next September. The experience for Pepe has been invaluable and has just fueled his love for Science.

So if you are a 4^th ESO student and love Science; if you plan to continue your scientific studies in Bachillerato; if you can see yourself pursuing a career in a field of Science; then you need to apply for this program!!

When asked, Pepe said the best thing you can do when applying is to sell yourself and your capabilities. If you want more ideas from him then find him and ask.

The closing date is the 21^st of February. If you need any help or references, please contact a member of the Science department.

For more details check out: http://www.jovesiciencia.com/

Oak House School Science Fair…time is running out!

Last November the Science department proudly launched its first ever Science Fair and since then interested and enthusiastic students have been getting together to decide on their projects and start on the path of research.

Twenty two groups across the four age categories have embarked on their projects hoping to be the first winners of this competition. Over half of these groups have come from primary showing the great enthusiasm they have for Science.

Projects range from microbial analysis of the school to looking at the energy consumption within the school, with lots of other fascinating ideas in between.

If you are interested in participating then you need to decide on a project and get started as soon as you can. The closing date for entries will be Monday 31^st of March where students will need to submit a short video showing what research they did, the results they found and the conclusions they can make.

There will be a first round of judging and successful candidates will be asked to give a poster presentation for Family day (May 19^th in the labs) where the final winners in each category will be decided.

Though the prizes haven’t as yet been decided on they promise to be something special and worth competing for.

Through this Science fair, we, (as a Science department), hope to fire up the imaginations of our students and teach them the skills needed for proper scientific research. This will aid them with their future treball de recercas/extended essays in Bachillerato/IB and further on in University.

Nine weeks left! Good luck to all!

Crazy about Biomedecine (?)

Our resident genius Pepe explains about this program which he was accepted for and what it involved.
For those non-natives this is in Catalan in case you think your audio is faulty!

Nice one Pepe!

http://www.laxarxa.com/noticia/pepe-amich-m-agradaria-tenir-el-meu-propi-laboratori