Year 10 Darcey seized the opportunity to participate in the 37th MiSAC Annual Competition (https://misac.org.uk/competition.html), which was sponsored by the British Mycological Society.
The aim of the competition was to increase understanding among teenagers of those fungi which cause a wide variety of diseases and the threat of antifungal drug resistance which impedes effective treatment. Each year, over 1 billion people experience a fungal infection but, with limited resources and under-funded health systems, around 2 million deaths occur.
The object of the competition was to produce an A3 microbiology poster on a fungal pathogen.
One named human fungal pathogen had to be identified and described, with its associated disease and symptoms. Students had to research how often the disease is encountered and its effects on different groups of patients, for example, those with a compromised immune system. In addition, students were required to discuss the antifungal drug treatments that are used, the factors that contribute to drug resistance and future ways of combatting the emergence of such resistance.
Darcey decided to produce her awesome-looking and informative poster on Aspergillosis – a fungal infection that affects the respiratory system. She received a congratulatory certificate for her fabulously designed entry.
Ffynone House School is proud to be one of only 4 Welsh schools to take part in this UK-wide competition. Ffynone House School will continue to offer pupils the opportunity to participate in this annual microbiology competition, to foster deeper interest and independent learning within our thriving Science Department.
Well done, Darcey!