Biology

Before exploring biology, please fill out this short survey: https://forms.gle/Ltt9UdQsahAcUGFy7

Biology is the scientific study of life. It covers topics ranging from how animals interact in the wild to the different chemical reactions that take place within cells. Biology has allowed for innovations in medicine, a better understanding the effects of climate change, and a better understanding of human behavior. Biology is often intertwined with other STEM fields, such as chemistry, astronomy, and archaeology.

Here are some examples of careers to pursue if you might be interested in biology:

Doctor
Biologist
Biochemist
Ecologist
Biotechnologist
Biomedical Engineer

Meet Jane Goodall: A primatologist and environmental activist

Jane Goodall is a British scientist known for her studies of chimpanzees in what is now Tanzania. Goodall was born in 1934 and loved animals since she was a young child. In 1952, she became a secretary at Oxford University because she was unable to afford to go to college. Later, she worked as a film production assistant until one of her friends invited her to go to Africa. Once there, she met paleontologist Louis S.B. Leakey, and she eventually traveled to Tanzania and began studying chimpanzees. In the early 1960s, Goodall discovered that chimpanzees eat meat and that they are capable of making tools, something that was previously thought to only be done by humans.

Jane Goodall | Biography, Awards, Institute, Books, & Facts | Britannica — Picture from Britannica

In 1962, she was accepted into Cambridge University as a PhD candidate, and was one of very few candidates who did not previously earn a college degree. Goodall also established that chimpanzees exhibit several social behaviors and have emotions and personalities. In 1965, she earned a PhD in ethology, the study of animal behavior. She has since published several books and articles about her work.

Today, Jane Goodall continues to inspire others to create positive change through their own actions and speaks about current threats facing chimpanzees and other environmental issues.

To learn more about Jane Goodall, visit:

https://www.janegoodall.org/

https://www.janegoodall.o rg.uk/

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jane-Goodall

Extract DNA from a strawberry in this experiment!

In this activity, you will learn about DNA, see DNA with your naked eye, and learn how to think like a scientist to create your own experiment. Click on the link below to complete this surprisingly simple experiment with household items.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Kx-A94DhgBcnhfax8h8QJZ5IsHvPXsmAjuKMCa4DF9M/edit?usp=sharing

Interested in a career in biology? Here are some high school classes and extracurricular activities you can become involved in:

High School Classes:

If possible, remember to take higher level classes such as AP, IB, or honors!