Biology Week 2021 Calendar
Check out the amazing selection of events that took place during Biology Week 2021
Saturday 2 October
UK Fungus Day 2021 | All day, worldwide
UK Fungus Day by the British Mycological Society brings together fungus scientists, enthusiasts and forayers to study and enjoy the wonders of the Fungal Kingdom.
The UK Fungus Day website has a range of fantastic free resources available for download. Over UK Fungus Day weekend, capture a photo of a fungus that fascinates you and enter it in the photography competition.
Fold an origami antibody & virus | All day, worldwide
Join the British Society for Immunology to explore how your immune system works to fight off germs while folding origami! The activity is free to attend and open to all ages including families and primary school children. There is no need to register in advance. Find out more here.
#ROOKPOOLaroid | All day, worldwide
#ROCKPOOLaroid is a daily art challenge running every day in October all about the amazing life you can find in the ocean, run by marine biologist Elizabeth Mills aka YouTuber MarineMumbles!
Each day includes creature prompt where Elizabeth posts her own artwork and shares fascinating facts about the species on twitter and Instagram (@marinemumbles) and encourages others to do the same. Join in every day or just one or two!
Neuroscience Quiz | available all day, online
Test your neuroscience knowledge with this fun quiz about brains! Brought to you by the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre at University College London.
Learning about evolution in your garden | available all day, online
In this short educational video, Dr Chris Harvey, senior lecturer in Biology at Canterbury Christ Church University, will look at the spectacular plant Echium pininana to investigate how people research and think about the mechanisms and effects of evolution.
Watch the video any time on YouTube.
Sunday 3 October
UK Fungus Day 2021 | All day, worldwide
UK Fungus Day by the British Mycological Society brings together fungus scientists, enthusiasts and forayers to study and enjoy the wonders of the Fungal Kingdom.
Fold an origami antibody & virus | All day, worldwide
Join the British Society for Immunology to explore how your immune system works to fight off germs while folding origami! The activity is free to attend and open to all ages including families and primary school children. There is no need to register in advance. Find out more here.
#ROOKPOOLaroid | All day, worldwide
#ROCKPOOLaroid is a daily art challenge running every day in October all about the amazing life you can find in the ocean, run by marine biologist Elizabeth Mills aka YouTuber MarineMumbles!
Each day includes creature prompt where Elizabeth posts her own artwork and shares fascinating facts about the species on twitter and Instagram (@marinemumbles) and encourages others to do the same. Join in every day or just one or two!
Neuroscience Quiz | available all day, online
Test your neuroscience knowledge with this fun quiz about brains! Brought to you by the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre at University College London.
Learning about evolution in your garden | available all day, online
In this short educational video, Dr Chris Harvey, senior lecturer in Biology at Canterbury Christ Church University, will look at the spectacular plant Echium pininana to investigate how people research and think about the mechanisms and effects of evolution.
Watch the video any time on YouTube.
Monday 4 October
Policy Lates - Rethinking our food system | 18:30 to 20:15, online
Climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic are putting huge pressure on global food supply chains, along with changing habits and demands from socially-distanced populations.
In this event, our panel of expert speakers will discuss the complex development of food policy nationally and internationally. We'll chart the balancing act this involves, bringing in needs for food security, reversing biodiversity loss and achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions targets.
Metabolic Symposium 2021 | 09:00 to 13:00, online
A free symposium with a series of presentations and a showcase of Science magazine's focuses on 'diet in metabolic effects and health implications'. Register to attend on the event website.
Fold an origami antibody & virus | All day, worldwide
Join the British Society for Immunology to explore how your immune system works to fight off germs while folding origami! The activity is free to attend and open to all ages including families and primary school children. There is no need to register in advance. Find out more here.
#ROOKPOOLaroid | All day, worldwide
#ROCKPOOLaroid is a daily art challenge running every day in October all about the amazing life you can find in the ocean, run by marine biologist Elizabeth Mills aka YouTuber MarineMumbles!
Each day includes creature prompt where Elizabeth posts her own artwork and shares fascinating facts about the species on twitter and Instagram (@marinemumbles) and encourages others to do the same. Join in every day or just one or two!
Neuroscience Quiz | available all day, online
Test your neuroscience knowledge with this fun quiz about brains! Brought to you by the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre at University College London.
Learning about evolution in your garden | available all day, online
In this short educational video, Dr Chris Harvey, senior lecturer in Biology at Canterbury Christ Church University, will look at the spectacular plant Echium pininana to investigate how people research and think about the mechanisms and effects of evolution.
Watch the video any time on YouTube.
Tuesday 5 October
Adaptations of Antarctic marine animals and changing environments with the RSB Wessex branch | 19:30 to 21:00, online
Join Professor Lloyd Peck from British Antarctic Survey and a fellow at Wolfson College, Cambridge to learn about the adaptations of Antarctic marine animals and the way in which they are responding to environmental change. The event will be preceded by the Wessex branch AGM.
Honeybee Anatomy with the RSB's North Western branch | 19:00 to 20:00, online
Did you know that honeybees have a built in antenna cleaner on their legs or suction cups on their feet? In this illustrated talk delivered by Janet Preece MRSB, guests will find out about some of the adaptations honeybees possess and how these assist them in their daily lives to be successful social insects and keep the hive running smoothly.
The RSB's Big Biology Quiz | 19:30 to 20:30, online
Get involved with this year's Biology Week by taking part in the RSB's free, family-friendly online quiz. Test your knowledge on the fascinating world of the biosciences, from the smallest organisms to the largest ecosystems. Questions will be multiple choice and will vary in difficulty with something for every member of the family.
JXB Series: Frozen in the dark | 11:00 to 11:45, online
In this talk, Beatriz Fernández-Marín will present a talk on her paper "Frozen in the dark: night activity of xanthophyll cycle, xylem attributes and desiccation-tolerance interplay in fern resistance to winter" which was accepted by the Journal of Experimental Botany on 23rd February 2021.
Tackling SARS-CoV-2 Biochemistry | 15:00 to 16:15, online
A webinar as part of the Biochemistry Focus webinar series, from the Biochemical Society and Portland Press.
During this webinar the speakers will describe the biochemical screens we used to identify inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 encoded enzymes. John Diffley will provide an overview of the project, Jennifer Milligan will describe the screen for Nsp5/MPro inhibitors, Kang Wei Tan will describe the Nsp3/PLpro screen, Berta Canal will describe the Nsp14/10 and nsp15 screen, and Rachel Ulferts will describe how she tested these inhibitors in viral growth assays.
Biology Champions with the RVC | free six week course on Tuesdays,17:30 to 18:30
This free six week course will run on Tuesday evenings between 17:30-18:30 BST online; launching on 5th October 2021 in Biology Week. The aims of the programme are to reinforce your passion for biology, as well as helping with your understanding of biology at A level and equivalent qualifications.
Scientist in your Classroom with ZSL | 09:00 to 16:30, online
Join the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) live online, and give your secondary school students the opportunity to meet a ZSL scientist via Zoom. Our early career scientists will describe their experiences working in conservation science, discussing topics such as the process of scientific investigation or how the decisions they've made (which subjects to study, what work experience is necessary) have helped to get them to this point.
The RSB's Virtual Annual Awards | throughout the week, online
On Tuesday, we announce the winners of our popular Photography Competition. Wednesday will see the announcement of the winners of our Apprentice of the Year award and a celebration of our Outreach and Engagement Award winners.
Finally, on Thursday we will be recognising the fantastic artwork from the winners of our Nancy Rothwell Award drawing competition.
Fold an origami antibody & virus | All day, worldwide
Join the British Society for Immunology to explore how your immune system works to fight off germs while folding origami! The activity is free to attend and open to all ages including families and primary school children. There is no need to register in advance. Find out more here.
#ROOKPOOLaroid | All day, worldwide
#ROCKPOOLaroid is a daily art challenge running every day in October all about the amazing life you can find in the ocean, run by marine biologist Elizabeth Mills aka YouTuber MarineMumbles!
Each day includes creature prompt where Elizabeth posts her own artwork and shares fascinating facts about the species on twitter and Instagram (@marinemumbles) and encourages others to do the same. Join in every day or just one or two!
IISER Kolkata Chapter | 18:30 to 19:30, online
IISER Kolkata Chapter is a six-day event hosted by Cogito137 - a web-based student-run science communication platform.
The event brings together national and international faculty, emerging leaders in research and scicomm and artists, for sessions targeted towards popularising different aspects of biological sciences.
Neuroscience Quiz | available all day, online
Test your neuroscience knowledge with this fun quiz about brains! Brought to you by the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre at University College London.
Learning about evolution in your garden | available all day, online
In this short educational video, Dr Chris Harvey, senior lecturer in Biology at Canterbury Christ Church University, will look at the spectacular plant Echium pininana to investigate how people research and think about the mechanisms and effects of evolution.
Watch the video any time on YouTube.
Wednesday 6 October
Spinal Muscular Atrophy - New therapies and newborn genetic screening with the RSB West Midlands branch | 19:00 to 20:30, online
This year's annual RSB West Midlands branch Charter Lecture covers spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), the new therapies available and the drive for genetic screening, delivered by Professor Philip Young from the University of Warwick.
RSB's Outreach and Engagement Awards | 19:30 to 20:30, online
Chaired by a member of the Outreach and Engagement Award judging panel, the short webinar will include presentations from the winner of each category, followed by an audience Q&A.
Animal #behaviourflavours with ASAB | 09:00 to 17:00, online
Take part in this online competition and act out the animal #behaviourflavours of the day. Each day will have a theme and you can upload your video interpretation on social media. There will be a judge and a winner every day for five days.
Fold an origami antibody & virus | All day, worldwide
Join the British Society for Immunology to explore how your immune system works to fight off germs while folding origami! The activity is free to attend and open to all ages including families and primary school children. There is no need to register in advance. Find out more here.
#ROOKPOOLaroid | All day, worldwide
#ROCKPOOLaroid is a daily art challenge running every day in October all about the amazing life you can find in the ocean, run by marine biologist Elizabeth Mills aka YouTuber MarineMumbles!
Each day includes creature prompt where Elizabeth posts her own artwork and shares fascinating facts about the species on twitter and Instagram (@marinemumbles) and encourages others to do the same. Join in every day or just one or two!
IISER Kolkata Chapter | 18:30 to 19:30, online
IISER Kolkata Chapter is a six-day event hosted by Cogito137 - a web-based student-run science communication platform.
The event brings together national and international faculty, emerging leaders in research and scicomm and artists, for sessions targeted towards popularising different aspects of biological sciences.
Neuroscience Quiz | available all day, online
Test your neuroscience knowledge with this fun quiz about brains! Brought to you by the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre at University College London.
Learning about evolution in your garden | available all day, online
In this short educational video, Dr Chris Harvey, senior lecturer in Biology at Canterbury Christ Church University, will look at the spectacular plant Echium pininana to investigate how people research and think about the mechanisms and effects of evolution. Watch the video any time on YouTube.
Thursday 7 October
RSB's School Biology Teacher of the Year Awards | 19:30 to 20:30, online
Chaired by Dr Mark Winterbottom CBiol FRSB, chair of the judging panel for the award, this short webinar will include presentations from the winner and shortlisted School Teacher of the Year award recipients.
Fold an origami antibody & virus | All day, worldwide
Join the British Society for Immunology to explore how your immune system works to fight off germs while folding origami! The activity is free to attend and open to all ages including families and primary school children. There is no need to register in advance. Find out more here.
#ROOKPOOLaroid | All day, worldwide
#ROCKPOOLaroid is a daily art challenge running every day in October all about the amazing life you can find in the ocean, run by marine biologist Elizabeth Mills aka YouTuber MarineMumbles! Each day includes creature prompt where Elizabeth posts her own artwork and shares fascinating facts about the species on twitter and Instagram (@marinemumbles) and encourages others to do the same. Join in every day or just one or two!
IISER Kolkata Chapter | 18:30 to 19:30, online
IISER Kolkata Chapter is a six-day event hosted by Cogito137 - a web-based student-run science communication platform.
The event brings together national and international faculty, emerging leaders in research and scicomm and artists, for sessions targeted towards popularising different aspects of biological sciences.
Neuroscience Quiz | available all day, online
Test your neuroscience knowledge with this fun quiz about brains! Brought to you by the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre at University College London.
Learning about evolution in your garden | available all day, online
In this short educational video, Dr Chris Harvey, senior lecturer in Biology at Canterbury Christ Church University, will look at the spectacular plant Echium pininana to investigate how people research and think about the mechanisms and effects of evolution. Watch the video any time on YouTube.
Friday 8 October
#iamabiologist campaign | All day, online
All biologists are invited to take to Twitter and Instagram on Friday 8th October to celebrate the work that they do. We want biologists from all stages of their career to tweet photos of themselves capturing their love for biology, using the hashtag #iamabiologist, to show the public that biology is a diverse and exciting area of science.
Soil: A cornerstone of life | 14:30 to 16:00, Sidmouth
Dr Kate Schofield is a biogeochemist and soil scientist at the University of Plymouth. Kate studies the biology and chemistry of soils, searching for ways to sustainably improve the health of our natural soils, as well as working to sustainably create soils using waste materials. This event has been organised in conjunction with the Devonshire Association.
Fold an origami antibody & virus | All day, worldwide
Join the British Society for Immunology to explore how your immune system works to fight off germs while folding origami! The activity is free to attend and open to all ages including families and primary school children. There is no need to register in advance. Find out more here.
#ROOKPOOLaroid | All day, worldwide
#ROCKPOOLaroid is a daily art challenge running every day in October all about the amazing life you can find in the ocean, run by marine biologist Elizabeth Mills aka YouTuber MarineMumbles!
Each day includes creature prompt where Elizabeth posts her own artwork and shares fascinating facts about the species on twitter and Instagram (@marinemumbles) and encourages others to do the same. Join in every day or just one or two!
IISER Kolkata Chapter | 18:30 to 19:30, online
IISER Kolkata Chapter is a six-day event hosted by Cogito137 - a web-based student-run science communication platform.
The event brings together national and international faculty, emerging leaders in research and scicomm and artists, for sessions targeted towards popularising different aspects of biological sciences.
Neuroscience Quiz | available all day, online
Test your neuroscience knowledge with this fun quiz about brains! Brought to you by the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre at University College London.
Learning about evolution in your garden | available all day, online
In this short educational video, Dr Chris Harvey, senior lecturer in Biology at Canterbury Christ Church University, will look at the spectacular plant Echium pininana to investigate how people research and think about the mechanisms and effects of evolution. Watch the video any time on YouTube.
Saturday 9 October
Phytopathology - a story of bad mushrooms with the RSB Hong Kong branch | 10:00 to 11:00 BST
This talk looks at phytopathology in action. Most people like good mushrooms. I do too. But, these fungi also have members that do bad things like kill old and valuable trees.
Balcony Watch with the RSB's London branch | All day, online
Following the success of Spring Watch on the BBC, which showed how the public can engage further with the wildlife around them, the RSB London branch “Balcony Watch” seeks to engage both RSB members and non-members alike in a friendly competition to discover the wildlife on their doorstep.
Hullabaloo Lite | 10:00 to 16:00, Isle of Wight
Hullabaloo is an unusual combination of the arts, sciences & heritage together with the madcap antics of carnival & seaside traditions.
2021 will still be the brilliant free family event it's always been - two days of amazing art & science with Discovery Bay and the Makers Marquee, Cardboard Wars, Music and Carnival, natural wonders and everyday wildlife.
Fold an origami antibody & virus | All day, worldwide
Join the British Society for Immunology to explore how your immune system works to fight off germs while folding origami! The activity is free to attend and open to all ages including families and primary school children. There is no need to register in advance. Find out more here.
#ROOKPOOLaroid | All day, worldwide
#ROCKPOOLaroid is a daily art challenge running every day in October all about the amazing life you can find in the ocean, run by marine biologist Elizabeth Mills aka YouTuber MarineMumbles!
Each day includes creature prompt where Elizabeth posts her own artwork and shares fascinating facts about the species on twitter and Instagram (@marinemumbles) and encourages others to do the same. Join in every day or just one or two!
IISER Kolkata Chapter | 18:30 to 19:30, online
IISER Kolkata Chapter is a six-day event hosted by Cogito137 - a web-based student-run science communication platform.
The event brings together national and international faculty, emerging leaders in research and scicomm and artists, for sessions targeted towards popularising different aspects of biological sciences.
Neuroscience Quiz | available all day, online
Test your neuroscience knowledge with this fun quiz about brains! Brought to you by the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre at University College London.
Learning about evolution in your garden | available all day, online
In this short educational video, Dr Chris Harvey, senior lecturer in Biology at Canterbury Christ Church University, will look at the spectacular plant Echium pininana to investigate how people research and think about the mechanisms and effects of evolution. Watch the video any time on YouTube.
Sunday 10 October
Hullabaloo Lite | 10:00 to 16:00, Isle of Wight
Hullabaloo is an unusual combination of the arts, sciences & heritage together with the madcap antics of carnival & seaside traditions.
2021 will still be the brilliant free family event it's always been - two days of amazing art & science with Discovery Bay and the Makers Marquee, Cardboard Wars, Music and Carnival, natural wonders and everyday wildlife.
Balcony Watch with the RSB's London branch | All day, online
Following the success of Spring Watch on the BBC, which showed how the public can engage further with the wildlife around them, the RSB London branch “Balcony Watch” seeks to engage both RSB members and non-members alike in a friendly competition to discover the wildlife on their doorstep.
Fold an origami antibody & virus | All day, worldwide
Join the British Society for Immunology to explore how your immune system works to fight off germs while folding origami! The activity is free to attend and open to all ages including families and primary school children. There is no need to register in advance. Find out more here.
#ROOKPOOLaroid | All day, worldwide
#ROCKPOOLaroid is a daily art challenge running every day in October all about the amazing life you can find in the ocean, run by marine biologist Elizabeth Mills aka YouTuber MarineMumbles!
Each day includes creature prompt where Elizabeth posts her own artwork and shares fascinating facts about the species on twitter and Instagram (@marinemumbles) and encourages others to do the same. Join in every day or just one or two!
IISER Kolkata Chapter | 18:30 to 19:30, online
IISER Kolkata Chapter is a six-day event hosted by Cogito137 - a web-based student-run science communication platform.
The event brings together national and international faculty, emerging leaders in research and scicomm and artists, for sessions targeted towards popularising different aspects of biological sciences.
Neuroscience Quiz | available all day, online
Test your neuroscience knowledge with this fun quiz about brains! Brought to you by the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre at University College London.
Learning about evolution in your garden | available all day, online
In this short educational video, Dr Chris Harvey, senior lecturer in Biology at Canterbury Christ Church University, will look at the spectacular plant Echium pininana to investigate how people research and think about the mechanisms and effects of evolution. Watch the video any time on YouTube.