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. The activity is designed to take…
Mobiles for Kids?
This Science upd8 resource examines what proof there is that mobile telephones are harmful. Policy makers usually follow the precautionary principle. They issue warnings at the first hint of danger. Should we take their advice? In this discussion activity, students judge the risks and the strength of the evidence.
Homeopathy
In this Science upd8 activity students analyse information and evidence about homeopathy to decide whether it is based on scientific theory. They then choose the best arguments for and against homeopathy to decide whether they would use it, and whether it should be freely available to all.
Double Blind
This Science upd8 activity draws on clinical trials. Eight young volunteers had been in clinical trials before, but this time things went horribly wrong. Six of the eight were left fighting for their lives. In this discussion activity students consider whether new treatments should be ever tested on human volunteers.
5/5- Publication year: 2000 - 2009
- Group work
Is Life a Dream?
This activity from Science upd8 is linked to the subject of the universe which seems just too perfect! Everything about it seems tailor-made to make sure humans would evolve. Could an advanced civilization have "fixed it" for us? Some top scientists think it's a serious possibility. In this discussion activity,…
Bulb Danger
This Science upd8 activity draws on a recent Government warning about poisonous mercury from low energy light bulbs being a risk to users. But is this risk worth the benefits of using low energy light bulbs? In this activity students rank risks and benefits to help them decide.
- 3/5
- Publication year: 2000 - 2009
- Group work
Stardust
This Science upd8 resource revolves around the topic of the universe. A mission brings space dust back from the tail of a comet. The dust may reveal secrets about the origins of the universe and life on Earth. Students must defend the mission's $200 million price tag and produce a graphic to support their talks.
Instant Ice-Cream
In this Science upd8 resource students take on the role of a marketeer trying to sell a new instant ice-cream vending machine. They use PowerPoint’s simple animation features and a gallery of images to explain the science behind the process of mixing flavours and quick freezing.
Sulphur
This Science upd8 activity focuses on sulphur, which is usually the element fingered for the blame when it comes to pollution. Students research sulphur to get the low down on this "Jekyll and Hyde" chemical; then act out a trial of the suspect element.