Dr Lauren Edwards

I had a #GreenJob, I worked at the RHS Wisley as part of their education team whilst I did my PhD research into trying to find an alternative to peat use in the horticultural sector. I visited growers of potted herbs too and saw inside industrial greenhouses. So many different routes!

Green Careers Week From Biology Field Trip to a Green Career When I was at school, my original plan was to study Accountancy. It seemed sensible and a financially secure career path. Then came my A-level Biology field trip. It was one of those rare weeks of blistering sunshine on the coast of Wales, and I loved every minute of it. Being outdoors, surrounded by nature, collecting data with the sea breeze in my hair (I had more hair back then) — I was completely in my element.

It is @greencareersweek.bsky.social 💚
Check out our post full of useful links and an environmental careers story from @head-in-the-clouds.bsky.social
Did you have a #GreenJob before teaching? How are you celebrating this week? Let us know below!
#GCW2025 #GreenCareers #GreenSkills

Back by Popular Demand: #ChatBioPumpkinCarvingComp! Spooky season is officially upon us, and it's time to get ready to put the BOO in BOOtany, the AHH in AHHnerobic, and the FRIGHT in FRIGHTochondria. For the second year running, we're pleased to announce our Chat Biology pumpkin carving contest! Let's get those creative juices flowing this half-term and carve a pumpkin with a biological twist. Enter yourself, a class effort, or share with your students (maybe even as a half-term challenge!) and submit their entries - just like last year, there will be a vote for the winning entry and a small prize for the winner!

October half term is here which means its time for this years #ChatBioPumpkinCarvingComp! 🎃

Click the link to see this years entry categories and check out pics of last years entries for inspo!

Submission form link and deadline to be shared shortly - let us know your ideas! #ChatBiology

Thrilled to be partnering with @chatbiology.bsky.social and Physics Partners for the Secondary #Science Festival

It's an amazing programme:
Keynote: "Representation – a key part of inclusive science teaching'.
Choice of a variety of hands on workshops & talks
Book and info: bit.ly/ScienceFesti...

I guess not having any clue how to use it effectively and as engagement but it not just being a novelty?

So, welcome to tonight’s #ChatBiology

So, for starters … as we prepare for #ChatBiologyLive in July we ask the questions:

Do you use LEGO in teaching and learning?

If so, how?

If not, why not?

Do you have any questions of your own?

#ChatBiology
#LEGOSeriousPlay

For those of you waiting on a #ChatBiologyLive update we have some exciting news and a new confirmed date!

@chatphysics.bsky.social one for you to share too?

Hopefully see you all there! 🎉

🌟Science in Society scheme of work now live 🌟
OCR teachers: follow the link now to see this excellent resource to support teaching our new Applied Science Cambridge Advanced National 🤩
teachcambridge.org/item/2f4388a... #chatchemistry #chatbiology #chatphysics #edusky

Give your students an insight into the science they are familiar with using our paper models! We have models to show how vaccines work, how solar panels convert light into electricity and how crude oil is separated into useable fuels! Visit buff.ly/Srrltlx for details!

#EduSky #scienceteacher

Promotional image for the book Moss Safari: Exploring the Secret Life in Moss by Andrew Chandler-Grevatt. The cover shows illustrations of microscopic moss-dwelling organisms against a mossy background. Text on the right side reads: ‘MOSS SAFARI by Andrew Chandler-Grevatt. 25% DISCOUNT. Use code MOSS25 at the checkout to save 25%. Only at www.pelagicpublishing.com

Delighted to share this discount code for my upcoming book - Moss Safari.
💚🔬 #iseemoss

www.pelagicpublishing.com

I've been crocheting baby mobiles for a while now for all the new arrivals for friends and family and I thought I'd continue as I enjoy it so much so I've started an Etsy shop! 🌈☁️💧⭐

Be really grateful for any shares!

cosmosmobiles.etsy.com/listing/1904...

@teachertapp.bsky.social is anyone else finding difficulty in finding companies to take Yr 12s for work experience? Nigh on impossible! #teachers #workexperience

Love bringing my mycorrhizal fungi to KS5 when we do the phosphorus cycle!

I use data from my research to talk about different statistical tests/graphs etc!

Final question for tonight's #ChatBiology

What do YOU do outside of teaching to get involved in citizen science? Or if you did research before/outside of teaching have you brought any of it into school?

Comment below and share!

#EduSky #iTeachBio 🧬 #SciTeachUK

Onto question 2!

What have you tried - particularly any work experience or projects that have worked well? Why was it good?

Comment your experiences below and share!

#EduSky #iTeachBio 🧬 #SciTeachUK #ChatBiology

Welcome to tonight's #ChatBiology in celebration of #CitizenScienceMonth 🔎

First up - how do you get students involved in citizen science outside of lessons?

Comment below and share!

#EduSky #iTeachBio 🧬 #SciTeachUK

Please respond to the poll if you would be able to make a Saturday instead for #ChatBiologyLive!

Share as much as you can too please!

@fieldstudiesc.bsky.social @ocrexams.bsky.social @saps-news.bsky.social

If you would like to get some more #ChatBiology tips but *in person* why not check out our awesome schedule for our first #ChatBiologyLive this summer!

Tickets are on sale now and all info can be found here: buff.ly/3UZMlv7

We'd love to see you there! 💚

#EduSky #iTeachBio 🧬 #SciTeachUK

The inhibition of catechol oxidase by lead - Science & Plants for Schools In this practical, students extract the enzyme catechol oxidase from banana and use lead to investigate enzyme inhibition.

I have always wanted to try this @saps-news.bsky.social one! Has anyone tried it?

www.saps.org.uk/teaching-res...

Another banana one here too microscale or can use the colorimeter: www.sserc.org.uk/media/m3ch2l...

Onto question 2...

Speaking of these decisions - what are the issues with teaching the truth about enzymes too early? 🪤🤔

Comment with your ideas below and share!

#ChatBiology #EduSky #iTeachBio 🧬 #SciTeachUK

And finally for tonight - enzyme practicals!

What are your most reliably successful alternatives or hacks? 🫧🥛🎞️🥔🧪

Comment with your favourites, methods and tips below and share so everyone can benefit 😄

#ChatBiology #EduSky #iTeachBio 🧬 #SciTeachUK

Wood wide web: Trees' social networks are mapped Research has shown that beneath every forest and wood there is a complex underground web of roots and fungi, connecting trees and plants to one another.

Wood wide web! Mycorrhizal fungi and how they form the connections between trees - link to plant defences!

Love it so much 😍

BBC News - Wood wide web: Trees' social networks are mapped - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/science...

No 🙈

I don't know this one... Must Google

Yes - I obvs don't want curriculum reform BUT be great to have this on the A level spec

Endosymbiotic theory is one of my favs - the new nitroplast discovery was very cool and a great excuse to go through it and the methods used and how long it took is a great example of how long these things can take

asm.org/articles/202...

Hello and welcome to tonight's #ChatBiology all about biological inventions and discoveries! 💡🔎

Tell us your favourites and why!

Comment below and share!

#EduSky #iTeachBio 🧬 #SciTeachUK

Lots of crossover with ELISA testing, antigen sequencing, DNA sequencing to identify and diagnose diseases

GM and vaccine development

Information sharing e.g bioinformatics or international agreements for OCR

Thanks for all the ideas so far!

Onto our final #ChatBiology question for tonight

What topics can we link to show how other skills are used to help develop, monitor and control diseases? 🧬🧪

Some excellent practice for KS5 Paper 3 synoptic questions + careers!

#EduSky #iTeachBio 🧬 #SciTeachUK

COVID was a great example of what can happen when tonnes of funding and collaboration comes together across countries and multiple trials can be run at the same time and how this normally slows down the process due to sheer scale and cost of trials etc