All about the heart

Thinking about a topical lesson plan for Valentine’s Day lessons? Here are a few resources from the National STEM Centre eLibrary that might help you:

Keeping Hearts Pumping
This Mathematics Matters case study, from the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, looks at how mathematics modelling can aid investigations into the circulatory system. Age:11-14 | 14-16 | 16-19



This House Believes in Using the Three Little Pigs to Grow a Heart for the Tin Man
This resource, from Planet Science, discusses xenotransplantation and whether it is a life saver or just plain wrong? The resource provides a number of web links so that teachers and students can research the ethics of organ transplants and the arguments for and against the use of animal organs (xenotransplantation) in order to set up a subsequent classroom debate. Age:11-14


Healthy Chocolate
This Science upd8 resource revolves around the concepts of evidence and validity. A chocolate manufacturer claims its new, high cocoa bar is good for your heart. But is it? This is the context for teaching students how to evaluate evidence and the 'how science works' concept of validity. Age:11-14


The National Science Learning Centre has also posted a video demonstration of how to make soft centred chocolates, using enzymes, which if created in a food safe environment, using food materials and following a scrupulous hygiene regime, can be eaten or given to loved ones.