I made a DNA joke in my biology class but no one laughed… I guess my thymine was off. But the time is just right for you to join our CCA!
Have you ever wanted to explore the realm of biology through fun and interactive experiences with like-minded people? Have you ever looked at pictures of pristine nature and cool animals on Instagram and thought, “Wow! I really need more of that in my life”? Maybe the Raffles Society of Biological Sciences (RSBS), otherwise affectionately known as BioSoc, may be the right place for you!
RSBS is a student-led CCA, where members are given the autonomy to decide on the areas of biology that they wish to explore. Our weekly sessions range from interest-based lectures (they are more fun than they sound, by the way), lab sessions (including dissections!), talks by guest speakers, field trips and so much more. In a nutshell, RSBS is not only a club, but a family, where you will make many friendships and core memories, and probably take many cell-fies along the way.
To start your BioSoc journey off with a BANG, we have our annual RSBS Camp, where you can meet your fellow CCA mates (and your amazing seniors :)) and form strong (disulfide covalent) bonds with them! The annual RSBS Camp spans over 2 fun days, with one of the days filled with enjoyable activities that will not only fuel your Biology knowledge, but also encourage team bonding and allow you to forge core memories that will keep you going throughout JC life! The other day of the camp will be mostly dedicated to arguably one of the most anticipated activities by the BioSoc-ers, a field-trip! In 2023, RSBS visited the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum.
Other than field trips, you can also look forward to immersive practicals and hands-on CCA sessions. The highlight of each year is certainly the dissections, where you can learn about the internal anatomy and systems of animals such as frogs.
We will also carry out gardening sessions (don’t be fooled by the small plot of land—gardening is much tougher than it looks!), as well as insect-catching where you can see up-close the many insect species in our school. This year, we also carried out a lab specimen tour, with a focus on biodiversity and evolution. BioSoc members got to examine the various specimens in our very own Biology labs, as well as a few animal skeletons too!
Our interest-based lectures cover a wide range of topics, from neurology to evolution. Our lecture topics are carefully chosen to best reflect the interests of members. Want to gain insights from industry professionals? Fret not, because we also invite guest speakers to give special lectures! This year, we invited Dr. Wilnard Tan, Senior Resident at the National Centre of Infectious Diseases, to share more about life as a doctor, and address misconceptions about being a doctor, allowing members to make a more informed career choice.
In 2024, our CCA sessions will take place once a week on Wednesdays, from 8am to 10am, at the Innovation Centre (usually). However, on days with field trips, sessions may be extended to 11am.
Now, you might be wondering what RSBS requires of you as a member. Well, as an interest-based CCA, we’re looking for inquisitive, like-minded friends with a strong passion for Biology! Individuals offering all subject combinations are welcomed here.
We hope you’re interested in joining us and we look forward to seeing you in CCA in 2024!
Love,
RSBS EXCO 2023-2024