10 July 2009 Close tussle for schools in Lincoln University biology quiz

Twelve Christchurch secondary schools have had quiz-minded Year 12 biology students showing their knowledge at Lincoln University in its Ecology Department’s annual Biology Quiz.

At stake in this inter-secondary school activity was a challenge cup and this year the winners were Christchurch Boys’ High School. Battling against fierce competition, the CBHS team just managed to wrestle victory from Avonside Girls’ High School. 

The event was organised by Lincoln University’s Science Outreach Co-ordinator Sue Unsworth and hosted by Quiz Master Dr Adrian Paterson, assisted by colleague Dr Roddy Hale, both of the Ecology Department in the University’s Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Visual and audio questions were compiled by Sue, Adrian and Roddy along with Dr Laura Molles and Dr Rob Cruickshank.

From the 12 secondary schools there were 21 teams in total, made up of three or four students in each. 

Audience participation rounds used “clicker technology” and teams could trust either their teachers or their own intuition. One of the teachers in the audience  -  Andrew Jones from Avonside Girls’ High School  -  did exceptionally well on the Intermission Puzzle.

About 100 people  -  students, teachers, staff and supporters  -  attended the Quiz, and the event was well supported by the University’s Student Recruitment Team. Lincoln University Future Leaders Scholars and staff member Sandy Hammond worked diligently to mark the question rounds and post up the scores quickly. Participants were well fuelled by vast amounts of pizza, wedges and other food  -  clearly quizzes stimulate youthful stomachs as well as minds!