Third Form Biologists Alistair, Filip and Tom have been interviewed by BBC Look East, after winning a national schools’ competition to design a card game which will now be developed into a real printed product. The Human Cell Atlas (HCA) and Little Inventors challenge offered Key Stage 3 students (11-14 years) in the UK, the chance to create a game inspired by HCA members’ pioneering scientific research.  

Guided by scientists at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and award-winning game designer Richard Heayes, the challenge aimed to stretch pupils’ imagination, creativity and problem-solving skills while exploring exciting STEM topics. Our trio’s winning design, ‘AcCELLerate’ beat hundreds of entries from schools across the country. Tom said: “Our idea was a quick-paced card game that is a race to build a human. Will you catch a virus along the way, or will it be your turn to cell-ebrate?”  

Expert game designer Richard Heayes and the challenge team will now work with our pupils to transform their idea into a real product over the coming months. The final outcome will be featured in the ‘One Cell At A Time’ virtual exhibition in Autumn 2021. 

Biology teacher Mr Peter Crawford said: “The ‘How to build a Human Card Game Challenge’ was a fun extra-curricular activity and an opportunity for our pupils to engage with scientists working on cutting edge research, mapping cells within the human body. It really tested their communication and teamwork; Alistair, Filip and Tom’s award-winning entry was inspired by and developed over the third covid-19 lockdown. I look forward to seeing their concept developed into a real-life, playable Biology card game – well done all of you!” 

You can View Alistair, Filip and Tom’s winning design, along with other competition entries, on the Little Inventors online gallery.