Tablet Coating: Not Just a Pretty Colour
These activities, produced by CIEC Promoting Science, help students understand about the formulation and design of coating used for tablets taken as medicines. Designed originally as a unit of GNVQ teaching, the materials contain a range of practical investigations that would be useful for students studying post-16 chemistry, applied…
Industrial Encounters: Good Practice for School Links
From CIEC Promoting Science, this guide aims to help schools and science-based companies make the best use of their opportunities to liaise together. It concentrates upon using link activities to enrich aspects of the school science curriculum but there are many principles in the guide, with a more general application. There…
Science in the Environment Pack 5: Managing Plants as Crops
The University of York Science Education Group ensured that all the Science in the Environment packs were organised according to broad environmental themes. Within each pack, a number of specific contexts were used to introduce the science content. In addition, each pack focused on the acquisition of particular skills and introduced…
Science in the Environment Pack 4: the Technological Environment
The University of York Science Education Group ensured that all the Science in the Environment packs were organised according to broad environmental themes. Within each pack, a number of specific contexts were used to introduce the science content. In addition, each pack focused on the acquisition of particular skills and introduced…
Case Study: Health Information Websites
In this resource from the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, students look at the ethical issues surrounding the use of the internet by people to find and share health information, advice and diagnosis. The resource looks at the possible benefits and harm that could be caused by inaccurate information or access to personal information…
Case Study: Genetic Profiling
In this resource from the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, students look at the ethical issues surrounding the ability of people to pay for a DNA analysis service to find out their personal susceptibility to certain diseases and conditions. The resource gives information about genetic conditions which can be profiled in this way. It…
Case Study: Buying Medicines Online
In this resource from the Nuffield Council on bioethics, students apply ethical values to a hypothetical situation. A range of medicines are available to order on the internet, either with or without a prescription. The resource begins by summarising relevant legislation and looking at what medicines are often bought online. Students…
Introduction to Personalised Healthcare
This resource, from the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, introduces the case study resources which are based on the findings of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics report on developments in ‘personalised healthcare’, published in 2010. It explains the term 'personalised healthcare' and points out the potential social…
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,…
Exploring Ethical Issues in Dementia
This teaching resource is based on the Nuffield Council on Bioethics's 2009 report Dementia: ethical issues. The resource includes an adapted version of an ethical framework for dementia, and an accompanying set of scenarios to help people work through dilemmas that may arise in the context of dementia care. The worked example…
ICT in Practical Science: New Approaches to Data Collection and Analysis
These resources were developed by the Gatsby Science Enhancement Programme and the Centre for Science Education at Sheffield Hallam University in order to demonstrate new ways that ICT can be used to enhance practical work in science. Research scientists use computer technology in both the collection and the analysis of first-hand…
Obesity
From the Wellcome Trust, this issue of the 'Big Picture' series reviews the causes, health consequences, and personal and social impact of obesity, and how it might be tackled. How is body weight controlled? Why is the incidence of obesity increasing? What is the impact on people and society? What can be done about it?…
Sex and Gender
Published by the Wellcome Trust, this issue explores the biological basis of sex differences and the relationship between sex and gender. An activity encourages debate on the topic of sex selection. The development of new reproductive technologies makes it possible for the first time to choose the sex of children. But should parents…
Health and Climate Change
Published by the Wellcome Trust, the 'Big Picture' explores issues around biology and medicine. The Earth's climate is changing ever faster, and human activities play a role in speeding up this change. Find out how climate change affects our health. In a related activity, using an on-line simulation game, students…
Assessment Activity 10: Active Citizenship
In this Nuffield Council on Bioethics resource, students develop a campaign or presentation to combat misinformation. Students decide how to communicate with a chosen target group, produce an action plan and use evidence to back up their arguments. They then evaluate their campaign. The resource includes a lesson plan for the teacher.
Plenary 9: The Role of the Law
In this Nuffield Council on Bioethics resource, students consider whether the law is effective in regulating animal experimentation. By working individually or in groups, students are asked to develop strategies for improving the conditions of animals used in research and expand their understanding of the role of the law. The resource…
Plenary 8: What Do People Think?
In this Nuffield Council on Bioethics resource, students work in groups to compare and evaluate four different perspectives on the subject of animal experimentation. The resource includes a lesson plan for the teacher.
Activity 7: Putting on the Pressure
In this Nuffield Council on Bioethics resource, students watch video clips showing different perspectives on animal testing. They then examine the motives and methods of protesters. The activity is best conducted as a whole class or as group work. The resource includes a lesson plan for the teacher.
Activity 6: What Are the Motives?
In this Nuffield Council on Bioethics resource, students examine the motives of organisations which conduct experiments on animals. Students are asked to explore a range of websites (listed in the teachers' notes) with the help of a list of questions in order to come to conclusions. In this activity students work individually…
Activity 5: Reducing the Impact
This Nuffield Council on Bioethics resource looks at the application of reduction, refinement and replacement (the three Rs) of animals in experimentation. In this activity students examine the three ways of minimising the impact of research on animals. Students are then asked to create their own guidelines for researchers. The resource…
Activity 4: Are Animal Experiments Painful?
This Nuffield Council on Bioethics investigates the levels of severity of procedures. It also investigates the ways in which data is collected during animal experiments. Students are asked to work in groups or as a whole class to develop skills in analysing information to build an argument. The resource includes a lesson plan for…
Activity 3: What Is Animal Research?
This Nuffield Council on Bioethics resource explores the purpose of different types of research and testing and why they are used. Students are required to work in either groups or as a whole class. The resource includes a lesson plan for the teacher.
Starter 2: What Do We Know?
In this Nuffield Council on Bioethics resource, students are required to question the assumptions they may make when presented with visual images of animal research. They need to consider an image carefully before they come to any conclusions about what is happening to the animal. The activity is best conducted in groups.The resource…
Starter 1: What Animals?
This Nuffield Council on Bioethics resource explores the types and number of animals used in research. The activity is best conducted with a whole class or as group work. The resource includes a lesson plan for the teacher.
SATIS 14-19: Atlas
Published by ASE, the SATIS Atlas is a resource for use with both SATIS 14-16 and SATIS 16-19. It comprises 45 photocopiable maps accompanied by student worksheets and introductory notes for teachers. The maps are all drawn to one of three basic outlines: the UK, Europe and the World. Aims Each map deals with a science-related…
Science In a Social CONtext: Teachers' Guide
The SISCON teachers guide gives planning help and suggested approaches to each of the units. It includes sample questions, references for further study, suggestions for field trips, experiments and discussion questions. The chapters in this book are: *Planning details - Who is the course designed for?, How much time is needed…
Cross-Curricular
These eighteen assignments and a teachers' guide, from the Association for Science Education (ASE) aim to encourage non-scientists to embrace a little science. The aim is to increase student's skills whilst quashing a few "science is boring" stereotypes. All assignments have been written to cover a variety of…