Biological Sciences

Bioathlon

Hands-on, Problem Solving Competition

To stimulate an interest in biology careers, the Department of Biological Sciences at Michigan Technological University has sponsored a single-day, hands-on, problem solving competition known as the Bioathlon for the past 35+ years.

This Year's Project Topics Included:

Through these projects, students had to demonstrate organizational skills, critical and creative thinking, knowledge of biological concepts, and laboratory skills.

Dichotomous Rotation - Hints

To execute the following Bio-athlon Dichotomous Rotation to the fullest extent, it is recommended, but not required for students to come prepared having background knowledge and/or practice experience on:

  • How taxonomy and species identification is practiced

* We also suggested that students come prepared with a writing utensil that they would dispose at the end of the rotation. The lab had some pencils on hand if forgotten.

Microbiology Rotation - Hints

To execute the following Bio-athlon Mircobiology Rotation to the fullest extent, it was recommended, but not required for students to come prepared having background knowledge and/or practice experience on:

  • Gram staining reagents and procedure

  • Nomenclature – How organisms are classified (taxonomy)

  • Cellular structures

  • Microscope use and function

* We also suggested that students come prepared with a writing utensil that they would dispose at the end of the rotation. The lab had some pencils on hand if forgotten.

Blood Typing & Cell Membranes - Hints

To execute the following Bio-athlon Blood Typing and Cell Membranes to the fullest extent, it was recommended, but not required for students to come prepared having background knowledge and/or practice experience on:

  • Blood typing
  • Cell structures

Recent Participants

  • A.D. Johnston (Bessemer)
  • Baraga
  • Calumet
  • Chassell
  • Dollar Bay
  • Forest Park
  • Hancock
  • Houghton
  • Jeffers
  • Lake Linden
  • L’Anse
  • L.L. Wright (Ironwood)
  • Laona 
  • Negaunee
  • Superior Central
  • Wakefield
  • Watersmeet
  • West Iron County
    (Iron River)
  • Westwood (Ishpeming)