Page 50 - Herioter 2020

When Anna and Biologists join Sarah urges

Naroa meet Lizzie stem science phone recycling
Daly researchers Sarah Cayzer (S3) was interviewed
The Advanced Higher Biology cohort by the Royal Society of Chemistry,
Anna Williamson (S3) and Naroa attended a full day of training and took and spoke about the need to delay
Hammerson (S6) met conservationist part in a real-life scientific research upgrading phones if they are still
and broadcaster Lizzie Daly at a scenario. Our learners were introduced to working and looking out old phones
Royal Scottish Geographical Society the current, cutting-edge research of Dr that are lying in drawers at home
talk. Lizzie, who has presented on Christine Tait-Burkard and her team who to recycle. Sarah, a member of the
BBC, National Geographic and Animal have used genome-editing technology Environmental Action Research Team
Planet documentaries, as well as on to engineer pigs that are genetically at Heriot’s, was interviewed when
the BBC Earth Unplugged YouTube resistant to an infectious disease called she attended a Royal Society of
channel, shared tales from her travels porcine reproductive and respiratory Chemistry event at the University
around the UK, Borneo and Kenya, syndrome. The workshop also revealed of Edinburgh, which aimed to raise
and her current research about how researchers at Roslin are using new awareness of the rare elements
elephant behaviour and translocation. molecular biology techniques to genotype in our SmartPhones, tablets and
She encouraged pupils to be curious engineered pigs and showcased the use of laptops and encourage more people
about the world around them and to CRISPR gene editing, which is a method to recycle them and move towards
work hard in science and geography. by which the genomes of living organisms a circular economy. As part of her
may be edited.
Miss Rachel Hay Critical Thinking course, Sarah had
Ms Ann McKenzie already researched and written
a report about this important
environmental issue.

Pupils mark Conference
Dyslexia accolade for

Awareness Week

To mark Dyslexia Awareness Week MUNers
children at the Support for Learning To build on the success of our lunchtime Flawless Rachel
Junior School Base made posters meetings, the Model United Nations
with blue ribbon borders to celebrate club sent two delegations representing gains top marks
their dyslexia friendly classrooms at Pakistan and Belgium to a conference Rachel Fairley’s achievement in
Heriot’s. They then delivered short at North Berwick High School. This was gaining 100 per cent in the 2019
presentations on dyslexia to P5, our first conference of the school year, Higher modern studies exam, which
P6 and P7 pupils, and took boxes with the day filled full of invigorating was also the highest mark in Scotland,
of blue dyslexia ribbons around the was acknowledged when the S6 pupil
classrooms for anyone who wanted political debate from discussions on received the Higher Modern Studies
to wear one to raise awareness of current topics such as climate change trophy in a Scottish Parliament
dyslexia. and the use of social media in elections. ceremony.
The group of ten was filled with long
term members who had attended dozens
of conferences, as well as complete
newcomers. We were delighted to be
rewarded with three prizes, two highly
commended prizes, as well as one
outstanding delegate award, recognising
the enthusiasm and ability of the Heriot’s
delegation.

Daniel Holland (S6)

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