STEM Leaflet (2026) - Flipbook - Page 13
“I’ve always ques琀椀oned why things around me are why they are and my passion for studying Biology,
Chemistry and Maths began when I understood that science was the means by which I could answer
these ques琀椀ons and understand the world around me. I’ve really enjoyed the problem-solving aspect of
Chemistry and Maths and discovering new things in Biology. I believe there’s virtually no limit when it
comes to learning new things. I’ve also liked how all the subjects I’ve studied are interconnected and how
everything I learn can be e昀昀ec琀椀vely seen by many di昀昀erent perspec琀椀ves. In the future I would like to be
able to open my own lab and pursue a career in research, both as a scien琀椀st and as an entrepreneur.”
Omar Abd El Maboud, Neroscience, University of Bristol
“I chose to study Biology and Chemistry as I wanted to go on to study a Science-base degree. Whilst at
Varndean I really enjoyed the speci昀椀ca琀椀on in Biology, in par琀椀cular the mini projects, my favourite being
the HIV group project. I took part in many Chemistry compe琀椀琀椀ons, including the Cambridge Chemistry
Challenge and Chemistry Olympiad in which I achieved a silver medal. The dedica琀椀on and support of my
teachers was amazing and a昀琀er university I hope to follow a career in some form of lab research, either
pathology or histology.”
Natalie Lamont, Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh
“Upon star琀椀ng at Varndean, I was slightly nervous about studying IB Biology and everything it entailed.
However, having completed the course under the tutelage of Yaso Shan, the fears I might have once
had were replaced by a new and genuine passion and understanding of the subject. Undeniably, this
was because of Yaso’s innova琀椀ve and holis琀椀c approach to teaching the course material by frequently
incorpora琀椀ng tasks that helped the class understand what we’d been taught. Lessons were never limited
to the scope allowed by the syllabus, but instead, discussions about current and future applica琀椀ons of
course material were very much encouraged. Addi琀椀onally, Yaso’s caring nature and overall enthusiasm
par琀椀cularly shone through when designing and se琀�ng up my experiment for the Internal Assessment,
where she was totally dedicated to ensuring that I understood the project. It was these things,
amongst many others, that made my Biology class an absolute pleasure to go to, even during the most
challenging parts of the IB. Fy Oladipo, Medicine, Imperial College London
“I chose to study at Varndean because I was drawn to the breadth, complexity and interna琀椀onal
nature of the IB. I had always felt torn between Humani琀椀es and Sciences, so loved the combina琀椀on of
subjects with the IB. Studying History, Chemistry and Biology at HL allowed me to expand my interest
in the overlap between science and people, which I explored in my Extended Essay on vaccine hesitancy
in Hong Kong. Studying sciences at this level and learning from deeply enthusias琀椀c tutors, made my
experience at Varndean invaluable, and I loved learning about the intricate mechanisms and theories as
to why things happen. Due to my aspira琀椀on to study medicine, I a琀琀end the MedVetDent Society where
we discussed the applica琀椀on process, explored work experience opportuni琀椀es and found out about any
medicine-related talks that we could a琀琀end. I led a team to the 昀椀nal of the Oxford University Prac琀椀cal
Ethics and Responsibility compe琀椀琀椀on, competed in the Royal Society of Chemistry Analy琀椀cal Compe琀椀琀椀on
where our team came 昀椀rst, as well as the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge in which I received a silver
award. Anna Zhang, Medicine, University College London
During my 琀椀me at Varndean as an aspiring medical student, I think one of the most useful (but also fun) experiences has
been the 12-week intensive Clinical Case Study Workshop. We got to take part in diagnosing di昀昀erent cases, allowing us to
understand the experience of being a doctor in a truly unique way. The workshop gave me a compe琀椀琀椀ve edge in my personal
statement, which helped me get medical interviews at City St George’s. The programme also brought in professionals, who
walked us through chicken leg dissec琀椀ons and taught us how to perform a cranial nerve exam, helping me cement my love for
medicine, as well as giving great discussion points for my medical interview. Yaso, the programme lead is an amazing teacher,
ensuring no one is le昀琀 behind, despite covering di昀케cult and medically complex subject material. Her knowledge of biology was
clear, while also crea琀椀ng a fun environment where everyone felt comfortable to take part and ask ques琀椀ons. Thank you Yaso,
for running this programme, but also for having such a posi琀椀ve energy that made every lesson such a highlight, and something
we all looked forward to!” Alexis Antoniades (IB Diploma) 2024-26
