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Nearly 100 sixth-year students attended a one-day event based at the Moredun Research Institute in Edinburgh. Organised by Bill Dingwall and Margaret King of SAC Learning Division the young biologists were introduced to a morning of debates on topical subjects followed by afternoon visits to a number of science institutes in the Edinburgh area.  Later that day there was the launch of the Higher/Advanced Higher Biology learning materials.

As part of the knowledge transfer Success through Knowledge Campaign, schools throughout Scotland were invited to send sixth-year students interested in a career in the biological sciences.  It drew groups from as far afield as Islay, Aberdeenshire, Dumfries and Galloway, the Borders and the Central Belt. The Moredun's Conference Centre gave them the feeling of attending a mini-conference - totally different from other events they had attended. 

They particularly enjoyed the debates covering topics such as GM crops, battery cages and climate change, all energetically argued by members of SAC staff.  Students were asked to vote before each debate and then ask questions after each debate before voting again.  There was often a fascinating change of opinion, but was it the subject matter or the debater who changed opinions?

The afternoon visits included the SAC Animal Welfare Unit to look at the work being carried out in the pig maternity unit, the Dick Vet, the Moredun Institute Diseases Unit or the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency.  The scientific staff meeting the students tried hard to inspire them with information on current research work and the range of careers available in each institute.

Feedback from both students and teachers was positive.

“It’s interesting to see you don’t have to be a vet to work with animals” was one student's comment.  A teacher described it as the best visit she had taken students on in 28 years of teaching.  A ringing endorsement of a significant initiative...