The Canadian Biology Olympiad Camp is a hands-on summer camp opportunity offered to high school students in grades 9-12. Though all students are welcome to apply, the program is a competitive program that only selects 25 participants. With this camp, there is one major perk for students who are passionate about biology: the program offers an experience that would be impossible to obtain inside the walls of a typical high school.
This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Canadian Biology Olympiad summer camp held in Toronto. I was beyond excited to be selected for this opportunity where I could further deepen my knowledge and skills in the field of biology. This camp would be a great experience for any high schoolers looking for opportunities to deepen their knowledge of biology and interact with those who share the same passions and interests. Here are some things that made the camp so enjoyable:
The camp, held in York University’s Glendon Campus, brought together 25 of the brightest young minds in biology from across the country. From interactive lectures and workshops to hands-on lab experiments, the camp offered a wide range of learning opportunities that challenged us to think critically and creatively about a variety of biological concepts ranging from ethology and ecology to protein extraction and enzyme kinetics.
One of the highlights of the camp was the chance to work closely with renowned biologists and researchers who shared their expertise and insights with us. Their passion for biology was truly contagious, and I found myself inspired by their research and discoveries. This opened new chances to interact directly with experts of biology, and work closely with them through multiple lab projects.
In addition to the academic components of the camp, there was also a strong emphasis on teamwork and collaboration. Through group projects and team challenges, we learned the importance of working together to solve complex biological problems and achieve common goals. This not only helped us develop our problem-solving and communication skills, but also fostered a sense of friendship among the camp participants.
Of course, it wasn’t all work and no play. We had the opportunity to explore the campus where we resided, and spend time together playing games and getting to know one another. The camp provided us with a well-rounded experience that was able to enrich our minds and spirits.
Overall, attending the CBO camp in Toronto was a transformative experience for me. I not only gained valuable knowledge and skills in biology, but I also formed lasting friendships and memories that I can cherish for years to come. I would definitely recommend this camp for anyone interested in biology and exploring the large range of topics that biology oversees. From floral formulas to bioinformatics and extracting proteins to investigating PCR and gels, this camp provides a multitude of interesting and interactive opportunities one wouldn’t be able to access in a regular biology course in high school.
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