Heart Surgery and Dissection
Produced by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), these materials help students to understand more about how the heart works and also includes a step-by-step guide to dissecting a heart obtained from a butcher. In the first part of the resource, various aspects of cardiac biology are described and…
5/5- Publication year: 2010 to date
- Activity sheet
Wheat Evolution
Produced by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), these activities help students to practically investigate the process of evolution. Using the context of wheat, students are able to consider its evolution from wild grasses. This can be used to demonstrate the dramatic effect of both natural and artificial…
Practical Biofuel Activities
Produced by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) this resource contains background information about the science involved in the field of bioenergy and biofuels. There are also a range of practical activities with instructions. The activities can be carried out in school science laboratories as well…
- 5/5
- Publication year: 2010 to date
- Activity sheet
Gene Dreams
In this Genetic Futures workshop from the Centre for Science Education and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), students were asked to project themselves 50 years into the future to discover the breakthroughs that advances in DNA technology might bring. At a ‘Press Briefing’ for all students,…
Gene Talk
This Genetic Futures workshop, from the Centre for Science Education and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), provided an opportunity for students to think and talk about the potential benefits and problems of an advance in DNA technology by engaging in debate with a panel of experts. The objective…
Photosynthesis Explored
This Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC) worksheet for students aged 10 to 13 explains the process and reasons for photosynthesis, using clear illustrations and highlighting key words. The explanation covers the chemical reaction formula and then looks at the moving and storage of food and respiration. The…
Organising a Schools-Based Consensus Conference
From the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), this resource gives background notes for potential organisers of consensus conferences in schools. Consensus conferences can contribute to public debate and decision-making by giving a voice to non-specialists in the area whose interests are primarily those…
Clippy Island - Investigation into Natural Selection
From the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), this selection of activities are suitable for Key Stage Four students investigating natural selection. Using spring clips of different sizes, students 'feed' on a range of seeds to see the effect of beak size. Different scenarios look at how seed availability…
Antibiotics: From Bacterial and Fungal Cells to Healthcare
From the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), this student factsheet looks at the development of antibiotics, how they work, bacterial drug resistance and how the risks of developing resistance to antibiotics can be reduced. BBSRC is a part of Research Councils UK (RCUK).
Discovering DNA - the Recipe of Life
Through this Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) resource, students gain an understanding of the role of DNA within cells of the human body, and an appreciation that it is the uniqueness of their own DNA ‘recipe' which makes them individuals. The activities were first run as workshops designed…
A-maiz-ing
This resource, from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), help students to learn about the science of popcorn: why does it pop and what is so special about popcorn? This activity can be carried out by a class or science club within an hour and is aimed at Key Stage Four students. This resource was…
Science Through Seeds
From the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), these materials describe a series of practicals designed to help students aged 12-16 years to explore the factors affecting: • Plant growth • Reproduction • Variation • Classification • Adaptation To perform these experiments,…
Biotechnology and Bacterial Friends and Foes
This Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) resource gives examples of how research is helping in the battle against disease-causing bacteria and offering new opportunities to use beneficial bacteria in agricultural, food, pharmaceutical and other industries. The resource is suitable for post-16 studies. BBSRC…
Case Studies in Cell and Molecular Biology for Post-16 Students
From the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), these resources are a collection of biotechnology case studies for post-16 students on research and research findings, covering topics such as cloning and gene therapy. Produced by Dr Harry Griffin (Roslin Institute) and teacher Dr Jaquie Burt, these case…
DNA in the Garden
Produced by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), these resources contain two sets of materials, suitable for Key Stage Three/Four or post-16 students. They explore the science and surprises behind plant DNA. Separate worksheets for each age group cover: • What plant DNA is • How plant…
Stem Cells - Science and Ethics
From the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), this booklet looks at stem cell science and the legal and ethical issues of research using stem cells. Designed primarily for post-16 students to use themselves, the resource also contains classroom activities. Teachers notes support the student booklet,…
Darwin Today Factsheets
Marking the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth and 150 years since the publication of On the Origin of Spieces, these five factsheets from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) illustrate the continuing importance of the theory of evolution by natural selection in contemporary research: •…
Darwin Today Discussion Topics
A range of materials from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) that explores variation, natural selection, evolution and human impacts on the environment. The materials are suitable for teachers who want to gain a greater understanding of the topics raised. Evolution and society • A fare share? •…
Seeds and Plant Growth Discovery Pack
A Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC) resource designed to allow pupils, aged 5 to 12 years, to explore the world of seeds and plant growth. All the activities can be used to encourage children to care for and appreciate living things and to think about the world around them. The activities can also…
Spiders, Silks and Webs
A Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC) resource containing information about the biology of spiders. Suitable for teachers who want to know more about spiders, the resource contains information including descriptions of body structure, feeding, mating and spiders' webs. BBSRC is a part of Research…
The Plant Detective
From the Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC), these materials are suitable for Key Stage Two (8-11 year olds). Using bright illustrations, the activity involves describing the different parts of a plant and a flower in detail. Students use this to find out about the plants and how they reproduce. The…
Photosynthesis Explored
A Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC) fact sheet and investigation for students aged 10 to 13 which investigates the process of photosysnthesis in plants. The resource describes the process of photosynthesis and the plant structures involved, before showing how photosynthesis can be measured using pondweed. The…
Stings and Things: an Investigation into pH
Produced by the Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC), this activity could be used as an extension investigation into pH for 10 -11 year-olds. This resource is also relevant to the curriculum for 12 -13 year-olds. Students look at the pH of household materials and then apply their knowledge of acids and alkalis…
Easy PEAsy Seed Germination
From the Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC), this investigation has students looking at the conditions needed for seeds to germinate and grow. It is suitable for Key Stage Two students investigating the growth and reproduction of plants and gives teachers suggestions for questions to ask, approaches for…
Build Your Own Cell
An extension ‘cut and paste’ activity from the Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC) which introduces plant and animal cells for 10-11 year-olds. It is also suitable for use with 12-13 year-olds. The sheet starts with a set of key facts about cells and a question sheet for students to fill in.…
Minibeast Discovery Pack
An activity booklet from the Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC) for 5-12 year olds. Through these activities, children are introduced to the world of invertebrates (minibeasts). There are a range of activities which cover curriculum areas such as science, design technology, litearcy and numeracy. Science…
One of the Crowd
This Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC) resource looks at the amazing biology of the desert locust. Notorious as a swarming pest with a voracious appetite, in fact the locust spends most of its life as a shy solitary individual that carefully balances its food intake to match its body’s needs. This…
How the Mushroom Got its Spots
This booklet has been produced by the Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC) and the British Mycological Society. It is a guide to fungi and includes information on mushrooms, toadstools, moulds and other fungi.There are guidance notes as well as worksheets suitable for use when looking at living things in…
Real Bugs
From the Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC), this resource introduces students to the world of minibeasts. The activities cover a wide range of curriculum areas, from science to numeracy, from literacy to art. They lend themselves to the study of biodiversity from a variety of different perspectives, introducing…
DNA in the Garden
A set of four worksheets from the Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC) suitable for Key Stage Two (ages 8-11), that explore the science and surprises behind inheritance and DNA. Activities look at: • Where it all began - word grid based on the work of Gregor Mendel • DNA size and sequence -…
Darwin and Natural Selection
This Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC) hands-on activities pack, with associated teacher notes, contains four activities that explore natural selection with Key Stage Two (ages 8-11) students. The four activities can be used to illustrate the processes of natural selection: • An activity to model…