Biochemistry Group Meeting Bingo

Group meetings and seminars can be tremendous sources of new ideas and discussion. Dare we say they can also be a bit painful from time to time. That's about to change. Before heading into your next group meeting, print out a few of these randomized cards and distribute them to labmates. If the speaker says any of the words on your card - check them off! The first person to get a horizontal, vertical or diagonal row of five is the winner.

Not a biochemist? No problem, check out our Cell Biology, Chemistry, Developmental Biology, Neuroscience and Proteomics Group Meeting Bingo or suggest your own!

Rules

Mark off the words as the speaker says them; the BenchFly square is a freebie for everyone. Mark five boxes in a row (horizontally, vertically or diagonally) and you're the winner! And yes, baiting the speaker into saying specific words by asking them questions is perfectly legal.

A Brief History of Group Meeting Bingo

The earliest records come from the writings of Plato. In his journal, Plato recounts sitting in a group meeting while Socrates was "rambling about justice and ethics again" when the idea hit him. Two weeks later he introduced the game to the group before Socrates arrived. It wasn't twenty minutes before Plato slid his final rock into place on his tablet, glanced over at Aristophanes and mouthed "Bingus" - later translated to "Bingo".

WARNING: Playing group meeting bingo may not be well-received by certain PIs, bosses, or supervisors. To maintain stealth mode, consider placing the board on top of a notebook and taking notes or documenting inspirational ideas that result from the talk. Group Meeting Bingo may cause an increase in interest and excitement in lab meetings and seminars. Discontinue use of Group Meeting Bingo if any of the following occur: itching, vertigo, dizziness, tingling in extremities, loss of balance or coordination, slurred speech, temporary blindness, profuse sweating, or heart palpitations. Call your doctor for fun lasting longer than four hours.

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