Life Sciences Challenge

• February, May, June, September
• Up to 2 hours
• Available in Welsh

This exciting initiative provides pupils with an opportunity to meet young scientists who possess passion and enthusiasm for trying to understand the natural world.

The quiz aims to inspire pupils across Wales to consider the possibilities of careers in science and runs in parallel across both English and Welsh medium schools. Teams consist of four pupils with an interest in science.

First, the teams enter a preliminary round that is delivered online. The eight teams with the highest scores in both English and Welsh medium schools then enter the quarter finals, where they will compete in a head-to-head knockout format in the manner of quiz shows such as 'A Question of Sport', 'University Challenge' and 'Only Connect'. The quiz consists of individual and team questions.

Our Science in Health team of PhD students visit schools to run the quarter and semi-final rounds and the final is held at the School of Medicine, Cardiff University.

Some of the quiz questions follow the National Curriculum, but others may require knowledge gained from further reading and investigation. Importantly, some questions test pupils' ability to analyse data and apply logician learned knowledge to unfamiliar concepts. Questions are largely biology and chemistry based, but can involve aspects of physics and geology, where these pertain to understanding the living world. We expect the pupils to find the questions challenging but fun!

The preliminary rounds are held in February, followed by the quarter finals, and semi finals in May and June with the finals held in September. The quarter and semi finals are held at host secondary schools. The final is held at the Cardiff School of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN.

Find out more

For more information about the activity, please visit our website.

About the organiser

This activity is organised by Engagement team, Cardiff School of Medicine. Contact Karen Edwards at medicengagment@cardiff.ac.uk for more details.