Biology

Science

Secondary

A Year 9 Class learns about oceanography on a voyage across sea

Year 9 pupils at Sandown High School take a trip on board the research Vessel Callista in which they learn about sea life and oceanography. Pupils get the chance to learn about light penetration and use some of the vessels' equipment, examining the boat's daily catch of fish, squid and plants. Pupils also learn about the tiny creatures that live in the mud on the sea bed, and nourish the food chains in our oceans. As the crew explain that the oceans cover more than 70 per cent of the earth's surface, and hold over nine-tenths of the planet's water. Pupils learn the importance of the ocean and the clues it holds to our history, and our future, many of which remain undiscovered.

A Taste of the Sea

Leading geneticist Craig Venter speaks on future technologies

Science author and broadcaster Richard Corfield interviews Craig Venter, regarded as one of the leading scientists of the 21st Century for his work in genomic research. In 1998 Craig Venter succeeded in sequencing the human genome using the whole genome shotgun technique and new automated DNA sequencing machines. Today he argues that CO2 in the atmosphere is the biggest problem facing our planet. We are now in the century of biology, he believes, and synthetic chromosomes could be the new tool-set used by scientists in the future. New biological technologies could replace our petrochemical industries and create and form a new type of sustainable energy, he suggests.

An Interview with Craig Venter

A look at research into helping asthma sufferers

A look into the research of biochemist Ceri Harrop, who specialises in respiratory medicine and developing new treatments for people with breathing difficulties. As part of her research at the University of Manchester, Ceri meets with athlete Wayne Ashall, a 400m runner and hopeful for the 2012 Olympics, despite having asthma. Wayne's personal best is only seconds off the world record, and he's hoping Ceri's work will help him perform even better. Ceri and Wayne carry out a spirometry test, a common test to diagnose lung conditions, and Ceri dissects a set of animal lungs to explain how they work and the effects asthma has on them. Medication plays a big part in enabling Wayne to compete, so Ceri takes Wayne through the different aspects of her research, which may lead to new treatments and possibly even a cure for asthma.

Asthma on the Run

Top scientists talk about the threat of a swine flu pandemic

Four UK scientists who are working to combat the swine flu virus talk about their work and the threat a swine flu pandemic poses. Contributors include Dr. Othmar Engelhardt, a scientist at the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (an HPA affiliated lab) who helped crack the genetic code of the current virus and develop a swine flu vaccine. We also speak to Dr. Tarit Mukhopadhyay, a bio-chemical engineer at UCL, who advises the government on the most efficient methods for producing vast amounts of vaccine as quickly as possible. Professor Wendy Barclay of Imperial College, London, an influenza specialist who is on constant lookout for swine flu virus mutations, talks about her work. Later Professor Neil Ferguson from the Medical Research Council, talks about his work as one of the world&rsquo;s top advisors and biological modellers. Finally, students and young people who have had swine flu themselves talk about how the virus affected them.

Battling the Bug

Innovative science and engineering research for helping athletes

See how engineering research is helping elite athletes reach the top of their game, in this Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 resource looking at the work of the Centre for Sports Engineering Research at Sheffield Hallam University The team uses state of the art motion capture systems and high speed cameras to track and analyze elite athletes every movement. The motion capture system uses twelve infra-red cameras to track reflective markers positioned over the athlete's body and is particularly useful for analysing football kicks and golfers swings. High-motion cameras, recording at thousands of frames per second are also used to analyse movement in detail and prove useful when looking at rehabilitating inured athletes.

Biomechanics

Neurosurgeon Professor Hugh Coakham explains brain functioning

Do you know where different parts of the brain are and how they function? Do you know your sensory cortex from your motor cortex? This short film has the answers. Renowned neurosurgeon Professor Hugh Coakham gives a clear and insightful lecture about the brain with the help of animated graphics and simple examples. Although the brain is a single organ, different areas fulfil different functions. A 3D animation of the brain maps out the following different areas: <ul> <li>Motor Cortex</li> <li>Sensory Cortex</li> <li>Sensory Association Cortex</li> <li>Visual Area</li> <li>Temporal Lobe</li> <li>Broca's Speech Area</li> <li>Frontal Lobe</li> <li>Motor Association Cortex</li> </ul>

Brain Basics

An insight into current genomic research for KS4 and above

A look into how genomic research is helping scientists to understand the genetic and environmental factors affecting complex conditions, such as breast cancer in a video suitable for KS4 and above. Alison Griffies has a strong history of breast cancer, but no known genetic change has been found in her family to explain this pattern. Risk of breast cancer is approximately one in ten in northern European populations, making it the most common cancer in women. Professor Gareth Evans, a leading expert in breast cancer, describes how genome-wide association studies scan genomes to look for genes that might be associated with the condition.The data from these studies and other research has provided a better understanding of the causes of cancer. It is hoped that this knowledge will be used in the future in prevention programmes for breast cancer and also provide answers for families such as Alisons. Whole genome research projects including biobanks also raise ethical and social issues, which are discussed in this video by Professor Michael Reiss from the Institute of Education. This video has been produced with Teachers TV as part of the Nowgen Schools Genomics Programme. Educational resources are currently being developed to support teaching and learning using this video. They will be available here in late September 2010.

Breast Cancer in the Family

An engaging and accessible lesson on DNA from Ceri Evans

Award-winning teacher Ceri Evans inspires a group of talented Year 10 students from several London schools with an active lesson about DNA. Ceri, national winner of the 2006 Guardian award for teacher of the year in a secondary school, uses a variety of games and challenges to excite and entertain his audience of pupils. The lesson provides science teachers with some concrete and accessible ways to teach the topic of DNA - one of the most complicated and abstract ideas in science.

A KS3/4 video on how diet changes when following a fitness regime

Help secondary pupils explore the links between science and fitness in this Key Stage 3/4 classroom video for PSHE and science lessons, where food expert Stefan Gates meets a triathlete to discuss his training diet. The video is a useful scientific illustration of the effect of different foods on the body and how the amount of food we need to stay healthy can vary considerably depending on lifestyle. Gastronuts presenter Stefan Gates meets triathlete Matt Sharp to find out about the relationship between diet and fitness. A triathlon is a punishing combination of cycling, running and swimming, and Matt has to train at least thirty hours a week. Stefan is amazed by the amount Matt eats in a day but his diet is scientifically worked out to provide not only the necessary protein, calcium, fibre and vitamins to keep his body in peak condition but also the carbohydrate needed to provide the energy for so much intense exercise. The video fits into a detailed lesson plan for secondary science lessons at Key Stage 3 and 4 and should prompt discussion, based on scientific evidence, about the effects of diet on health.

Eating to Win

Thinking about the scientific link between health and diet

Food adventurer Stefan Gates gets pupils thinking about the science linking their health and diet by preparing a crispy worm salad, in a video designed for use in Key Stage 2, 3 and 4 science and PSHE lessons. Gastronuts presenter Stefan Gates prepares and eats a salad using crispy worms, jellyfish and giant ants. Stefan makes the point that although people may eat very different foods around the world, they still contain essential nutrients like protein and vitamins. Stefan then explains how some foods are healthier than others, and he wonders if there's ever any reason why certain foods should be banned. This introduction to the idea of choice and restriction of food, and how diet and nutrition are linked to health, can be used to encourage primary and secondary pupils to think about healthy and unhealthy foods and to debate how much control there should be over the food we eat.

Professional Development for Quality Teaching

Subjects

> Secondary Science

> Biology