Big Biology Day (BBD), hosted by Ian Harvey, in association with the Cambridge science Festival, has been a major date in the Hills Road diary for the past five years as the day when 2000 excited visitors come to learn and have fun with biology. Thanks to sponsorship from MedImmune and the MicroBiology Society, BBD has free entry and is now one of the largest free science based festivals in the UK. On the day visitors can expect interactive activities for all ages, from the famed owl pellet disection to lively debates with various expert pannels about the big issues in current science.



Organiser of the event, Ian Harvey, claims that it is the enthusiasm of the visitors which inspires him to keep the festival going each year, saying that

“My satisfaction every year is seeing the smiling faces of our visitors as they leave the event – the buzz I get from seeing happy people walking out of our doors after a great day out makes the effort that goes into organising the day totally worthwhile.”

And with feedback from one young visitor that the day had been better than a previous trip to Alton Towers, we can see the Big Biology Day being an event in our calender for many years to come!



Every year Big Biology Day has kept on growing, from the initial 500 visitors to last years enthusiastic 2000, who kept the student volunteers busy all day. This year will see some similar activities to those last year but many new ones as well, including a discussion panel about the human microbiome, allowing visitors and experts to discuss and learn together.

The Principal of Hills Road, Linda Sinclair, also considers the day as a great opportunity for students, as they help provide the activites for the day, saying that,

"It is wonderful to see our students consistently and enthusiastically involving themselves in new experiences such as Big Biology Day and helping to provide such a great learning experience for children and adults alike"

Come along and have a go at some of the wide range of activities hosted this year, and learn somethinew new about biology. We hope to see you there!