Big Biology Day is 10 years old!

Organised by Cambridge Biologists, sponsored by AstraZeneca and run in partnership with the Cambridge Festival, BBD has expanded since its first presentation in 2012 to become one of the largest free-to-attend festivals in the UK that has a sole focus on the biological sciences. It is the brainchild of Ian Harvey, biologist and former Head of Biology at Hills Road Sixth Form College.

Big Biology Day has annually welcomed around 2000 visitors of all ages through the doors for a full day of hands-on biology activities, providing entertainment alongside education and careers advice. The event focuses on getting close-up and personal with biology and meeting scientists from a wide range of backgrounds.

Ian Harvey said "We have such a fantastic biology community in Cambridge and beyond, we’re all friends and we love working together to share our enthusiasm and knowledge with our visitors.

“Organising BBD is a big job but when it all comes together on the day and I see the visitors and exhibitors having so much fun together, I know it was all worthwhile.”

Ian added “There is genuinely something for all ages at BBD and often something that several generations of the same family can enjoy together.”

“We promote biology careers alongside the hands-on activities and our visitors can talk to a wide range of experts working in the varied fields of biology and medicine. Maybe coming to BBD will kick-start an enthusiasm in young minds to study biology and eventually lead to a career in the biological or medical sciences. Who knows, maybe a 10-year-old visiting BBD may one day win a Nobel Prize!”

Exhibitors at BBD 2023 include: Astra Zeneca, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Wellcome Connecting Science, British Antarctic Survey, Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour, Kingfishers Bridge Nature Reserve, The Raptor Foundation, East Anglian Air Ambulance, Cambridge Natural History Society, Kingfishers Bridge Nature Reserve, Cambridge Natural History Society, Royal Papworth Hospital, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, MRC Epidemiology Unit and Cambridge Science Centre.