Teacher Resource Pack
1
This resource pack contains vocabulary support, links to teaching materials, online activities and
video clips, and inquiry ideas for the classroom, to support the following Science Alive events:
Contents
1.
Mr Shark’s Coral Café (Drama Show - P1-S6)
2.
It Takes Guts (Drama Show - P1-S6)
3.
Life Through a Lens (Workshop - P4-6)
4.
Blood, Bruise, Ooze and Slime Time (Workshop - S1-6)
5.
Whose DNA? (Workshop - S4-6)
6.
Genetic Identification of Richard III (Interactive Lecture - S4-6)
7.
The Biology of Superheroes (Interactive Lecture - S4-6)
8.
Biological Diversity under Global Environmental Change (Interactive Lecture - S4-6)
9.
The Number Mysteries (Interactive Lecture - S4-6)
This resource pack can be downloaded at www.britishcouncil.org.hk/sciencealive
1. Mr Shark’s Coral Café
Drama Show Summary
Generating awareness on shark finning issues and sustainable marine life.
Curriculum Links
P1-P6: People and the Environment (General Studies curriculum: Strand 2)
S1-S3: Looking at Living Things (Science curriculum: Unit 2)
S4-S6: Applied Ecology (Biology curriculum: Elective)
S4-S6: Ecosystems (Biology curriculum)
Key Topics and Vocab
Food chain: predator, carnivore, top of the food chain
Marine organisms: seal, sea lion, prawn, crab, bluefin tuna, clown fish, plankton, whale shark,
humphead wrasse, coral reef, algae
Environmental issues: ecosystem, coral bleaching, global warming, ocean pollution, food shortage,
reproduction, endangered species, become extinct, dynamite, trawling
Classroom Materials and Activities
Form
Activity Summary
Resources
P1-P3
Create a fish magnet
http://c0026106.cdn1.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/408d4d6e58db429b
8ece721234b043f1_design-a-fish.pdf
P1-P6
Marine life through pictures:
drawing and colouring activities
http://www.sharktrust.org/en/educational_resources
P4-P6
Interactive tool to learn about
the food chain
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities/foodchains.html
P4-P6
Create and describe a marine
habitat
http://c0026106.cdn1.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/f948b58e9b9142218
0d5d53f667ece39_habitat-sweet-habitat.pdf
P4-P6
Letter writing on shark finning
http://www.tes.co.uk/teaching-resource/Shark-Trust-Stop-Shark-Finning6268954/
P4-S3
Shark finning game
http://www.tes.co.uk/teaching-resource/Shark-Finning-Game-6277297/
S4-S6
Design and describe an
ecosystem
http://c0026106.cdn1.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/6442ea19ef2d4c258
85d36d1f95a01bb_design-an-ecosystem.pdf
Inquiry Ideas: Shark Finning
Inquiry questions
Relevant articles and video clips
How do our habits and traditions affect
the ecosystem and biodiversity?
Video and article: Shark fins and ivory in Hong Kong
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20917387
Interactive resource: Seafood decision guide
http://ocean.nationalgeographic.com/ocean/take-action/seafood-decisionguide/ - /seafood-decision-guide/
What solutions could you propose for the
shark fin trade?
Video and article: Shark fin drying in Hong Kong
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2013/jan/04/shark-fins-hong-kongrooftop-video?INTCMP=SRCH
2.
It Takes Guts
Drama Show Summary
Following the journey of food into your mouth, stomach, guts, and then…out the other end!
Curriculum Links
P1-P6: Health and Living (General Studies curriculum: Strand 1)
S1-S3: A Healthy Body (Science curriculum: Unit 12)
S4-S6: Cells and Molecules of Life (Biology curriculum)
Key Topics and Vocab
Nutrients: protein, carbohydrate, fibre, fat, vitamin, mineral
Malnutrition: scurvy (vitamin C deficiency), night blindness (vitamin A deficiency), osteoporosis
(calcium deficiency), anaemia (iron deficiency), overweight, anorexia
In the mouth: bacteria, saliva, enzyme, amylase, incisors, canines, premolars, molars, grind food, tear
food, chew food, tongue
To the stomach: oesophagus, sphincter, acid, pepsin, churn food
Through the intestines: chyme, pancreas, alkali, sodium bicarbonate, gall bladder, bile, duodenum,
villi, colon, bacteria, rectum
Classroom Videos, Animations, Games and Worksheets
Form
Activity Summary
Resources
P4-P6
Animation of digestive system
http://kitses.com/animation/swfs/digestion.swf
P4-P6
Worksheets and practical
experiment on the mouth in the
digestive system
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B4xMsNe4G32CNmR4NElId3BiZ00/edit
S1-S3
Animation overview of digestive
system
http://www.neok12.com/video/DigestiveSystem/zX500a066365600175060063.htm
S1-S3
Worksheets on digestive tract
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B4xMsNe4G32CdXZ3cWZTNWFzcGM/ed
it
S1-S3
Word games on digestive
system
http://bogglesworldesl.com/digestivesystem.htm
S4-S6
Animation of digestive system
http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/health-and-humanbody/human-body/digestive-system-article/
Inquiry Ideas: Digestion
Inquiry questions
Relevant articles and videos
How could you eat without a digestive
system?
Article on sea cucumbers: how to eat without a digestive
system
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn23124-zoologger-how-to-eatwithout-a-digestive-system.html
How useful is a camera that you can
swallow?
Video on pill cameras: view of the inside of a digestive
tract using a swallowed camera
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U5JyODRVng
3.
Life Through a Lens
Workshop Summary
Exploring cell biology through microscope work and experiments to try to prove scientific theories.
Curriculum Link
P4-P6: People and the Environment (General Studies curriculum: Strand 2)
Key Topics and Vocab
Key terms: disease, plague, bacteria, comet, prove, observation, magnifying glass, microscope, cork,
cell, protozoa, nucleus, cell division
Scientists: Robert Hooke, Anthony van Leeuwenhoek, Robert Brown, Theodore Schwann
Teaching Resources
Form
Activity Summary
Resources
P4-P6
Read about Robert Hooke
http://www.factmonster.com/encyclopedia/people/hooke-robert.html
P4-P6
Read about Antony van
Leeuwenhoek
http://www.factmonster.com/encyclopedia/people/leeuwenhoek-antonyvan.html
P4-P6
Read about Robert Brown
http://www.factmonster.com/encyclopedia/people/brown-robert.html
P4-P6
Read about Theodore Schwann
http://www.factmonster.com/encyclopedia/people/schwanntheodor.html
P4-P6
Resource on history of cell
biology
http://www.kidsbiology.com/biology_basics/cells_tissues_organs/cell_h
istory_discovery4.php
Classroom Experiments: Microscopes
Activity
Resources
Make your own microscope
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/projects/microscope.html
Microscope activity looking at living
creatures in water
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/experiments/microscopiccreatures.html
4.
Blood, Bruise, Ooze and Slime Time
Workshop Summary
1. Exploring blood, bruises and scabs: what blood is, what it does, and how it travels.
2. Investigating how slime forms, acts and transforms.
Curriculum Links
S1-S3: A Healthy Body (Science curriculum: Unit 12)
S4-S6: Cells and Molecules of Life (Biology curriculum)
Key Topics and Vocab
Blood around the body: vital organs, go pale, blush, scab, bruise, blood vessels
In the blood: red blood cells, haemoglobin, white blood cells, platelets, plasma
Functions of blood: transport oxygen, fight disease, clot, carry nutrients
Experimenting with slime: flow, molecules, polymer, quicksand, rubber, glue
Classroom Materials and Resources
Form
Activity Summary
Resources
S1-S3
Practical experiment exploring
materials, solvents and slime
http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/educators/teaching_resources/activitie
s/shape_shifting_slime.aspx
S1-S3
Practical experiment
investigating physical changes
in materials with soap
Practical experiment to make
quicksand with cornstarch
http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/educators/teaching_resources/activitie
s/soap_challenge.aspx
Video of properties of polymers,
oobleck and non-Newtonian
fluids
Video of silly putty and nonNewtonian fluids
http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/educators/teaching_resources/videos/
newtons_nemesis.aspx
S4-S6
Video explanation of the
composition of blood
http://www.neok12.com/video/CirculatorySystem/zX716a5e6a5373426e405867.htm
S4-S6
Video explanation of how blood
clots
http://www.neok12.com/video/CirculatorySystem/zX020b007271626a7e001a45.htm
S1-S3
S1-S3
S1-S3
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/experiments/quicksand.html
http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/educators/teaching_resources/videos/
nutty_putty.aspx
Inquiry Ideas: Blood and Slime
Inquiry questions
Relevant articles and video clips
What would happen if we stopped
donating blood?
Article on blood donors in Hong Kong
What’s the best way to escape
quicksand?
Video of a cornstarch experiment
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1412534/red-crossappeals-more-blood-donations-some-would-be-donors-found
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/videos/experiments/cornstarch.html
5.
Whose DNA?
Workshop Summary
Using DNA fingerprinting to solve a crime and exploring applications of this technique.
Curriculum Link
S4-S6: Biotechnology (Biology curriculum: Elective)
Key Topics and Vocab
DNA analysis: electrophoresis, restriction enzyme, DNA fingerprinting, restriction fragment length
polymorphism (RFLP), polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
Inquiry Ideas: DNA testing
Inquiry questions
Relevant articles and video clips
What benefits could DNA
analysis bring in the future?
Article on 5 uses of DNA testing
http://edition.cnn.com/2013/04/25/health/national-dna-day-tests/
Article summarizing 9 uses of DNA testing
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/9-uses-of-dna-testing-553937.html
Article on surprising facts about forensic science
http://www.themost10.com/surprising-facts-about-forensic-science/
How could you use forensic
science to find out if
someone has been reading
your diary?
Various practical experiments with DNA
http://www.terrificscience.org/freebies/lessonexchange/dna/
Resource for student research into the applications of DNA analysis
http://www.dnai.org/d/
Experiment to extract DNA from a banana
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/lessonplans/biology/dna.html
Various projects and activities for school-based forensics
http://www.stem-works.com/subjects/3-forensics/activities
6. Genetic Identification of Richard III
Lecture Summary
Discussing the Grey Friars project: planning the dig, excavating the remains, and analysing the DNA to
identify Richard III.
Curriculum Link
S4-S6: Biotechnology (Biology curriculum: Elective)
Key Topics and Vocab
DNA analysis: DNA sequence, extraction, mutation rate, share a common ancestor, genetic link,
mitochondrial DNA (tracing female lines of descent, matrilineage), Y-chromosomal DNA (tracing male
descendants)
Forensic analysis: micro-CT, x-ray tomography, radiographs, 3D image, high resolution
Radiocarbon analysis: carbon dating, carbon-13, decay rate, half-life, mass spectrometer
Inquiry Ideas
Inquiry questions
Relevant articles and video clips
How can we determine if a
body is a particular person?
Video (9min) overview of the dig, excavation and DNA analysis of
Richard III
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfi6gOX0Nf4
Video and articles on the various strands of analysis carried out on the
remains of Richard III
http://www.le.ac.uk/richardiii/science.html
What benefits could DNA
analysis bring in the future?
Article on 5 uses of DNA testing
http://edition.cnn.com/2013/04/25/health/national-dna-day-tests/
Article summarizing 9 uses of DNA testing
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/9-uses-of-dna-testing-553937.html
Article on surprising facts about forensic science
http://www.themost10.com/surprising-facts-about-forensic-science/
How could you use forensic
science to find out if
someone has been reading
your diary?
Various practical experiments with DNA
http://www.terrificscience.org/freebies/lessonexchange/dna/
Resource for student research into the applications of DNA analysis
http://www.dnai.org/d/
Experiment to extract DNA from a banana
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/lessonplans/biology/dna.html
Various projects and activities for school-based forensics
http://www.stem-works.com/subjects/3-forensics/activities
7. The Biology of Superheroes
Lecture Summary
Exploring the science behind superheroes’ superpowers.
Curriculum Link
S4-S6: Genetics and Evolution (Biology curriculum)
S4-S6: Organisms and Environment (Biology curriculum)
S4-S6: Human Physiology (Biology curriculum)
S4-S6: Heath and Diseases (Biology curriculum)
Key Topics and Vocab
Mutations and mutant powers: biodiversity, evolution, genetic variation, recombinant DNA
technology, gene therapy, causes and types of mutation, alpha, beta and gamma radiation
Illusions and magic: rod cells, cone cells, retina, attention, response
Superhuman strength: skeleton, muscles, joints tendons and ligaments, opposing muscle pairs,
initiation of contraction, exoskeleton
Superhuman healing: non-specific and specific defence mechanisms, blood clotting, phagocytes,
platelets, cilia, skin
Human Torch: Thermoregulation, hypothalamus, thyroxine, circulation, behavioural methods
Superhuman intellect: variation, hereditary information, environmental factors
Superheroes: Spiderman, Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Loki, Superman, The Human Torch,
Wolverine, Avengers, X-Men, Fantastic Four, Batman.
Inquiry Ideas
Inquiry questions
Relevant articles and video clips
How could your favourite
superhero’s powers be
explained?
Article explaining the powers of 8 superheroes
http://www.popsci.com/entertainment-gaming/gallery/2008-01/superherophysics/?image=0
Videos explaining 6 superpowers
http://ed.ted.com/series/superhero-science
Video explaining Spiderman’s superpowers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o40wD7Nf9oY
Resource analysing 5 superpowers
http://thecomixverse.com/2013/01/27/leaving-proof-170-the-science-of-superpowers/
What if we all had
superpowers?
Video lecture speculating on what if we had superpowers
Which species have the
greatest relative powers?
Article on biotechnological advances that can enhance our abilities
http://www.thewhatifconference.com/wi/we_all_had_superpowers
http://www.wired.com/design/2013/09/this-mad-scientist-wants-to-give-you-superpowers/
8. Biodiversity under Global and
Environmental Change
Lecture Summary
Exploring observed and predicted impacts of global environmental change on biodiversity and
ecosystems, and highlighting the key role of science in informing future environmental management
strategies.
Curriculum Link
S4-S6: Organism and Environment (Biology curriculum)
Key Topics and Vocab
Global environmental change: projection, anthropogenic, loss of sea ice, ocean acidification, extreme
weather events, patterns of rainfall and drought, changes in ocean circulation, ocean stratification
Biological diversity: biome, impact on ecosystems, irreversible ecological transformation, oceanic
dead zones, mass extinction
Inquiry Ideas
Inquiry questions
Relevant articles and video clips
What will the biodiversity of the world look
like in 30 years time?
Video (11 min) on effects of climate change on biodiversity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xra87liAopM
Video interview (10 min) on effects of climate change on
biodiversity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kU7N2Fu4sCY
Resource on biodiversity as an indicator of global climate
change
http://ete.cet.edu/gcc/?/biodiversity_teacher_pages/
Resources and videos on the effects of climate change on
biodiversity
http://www.globalissues.org/article/172/climate-change-affectsbiodiversity
Article about interesting plant facts
http://ecowatch.com/2013/12/31/10-incredible-plant-facts/
How can we slow down the extinction rate
without affecting economic growth?
Resource on sustainable development
http://www.globalissues.org/issue/367/sustainable-development
Resource on conservation issues
http://redpath-museum.mcgill.ca/Qbp/3.Conservation/impacts.htm
Which species can we live without?
Resource on the importance of biodiversity
http://www.globalissues.org/article/170/why-is-biodiversity-important-whocares
9. The Number Mysteries
Lecture Summary
Exploring how mathematics can help to predict the future, and model population growth.
Key Topics and Vocab
Patterns: prime numbers, Fibonacci numbers, triangular numbers, fractal, bifurcation
Population dynamics: stabilize, randomness, starting conditions, carrying capacity, fluctuation,
projection, mortality, birth rate, trigger
Inquiry Ideas
Inquiry questions
Relevant articles, resources and video clips
How can chaos models be applied to the
human body?
Resource on chaos of the brain functioning
http://www.cerebromente.org.br/n14/mente/chaos.html
Article on chaos of heart attacks
http://www.science20.com/news_articles/chaos_theory_heart_attacks
Resource on chaos in human biology
http://www.govhs.org/vhsweb/Gallery.nsf/Files/Fractals+&+Chaos+In+Bio
logy+/$file/fractals_and_chaos_in_biology.pdf
How can chaos models be applied to
population dynamics?
Interactive activity with population dynamics
What if there was no chaos?
Video of discovery of applications of chaos theory
http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/RabbitsAndWolves/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnlkKdDXk-I&feature=youtu.be
Video lecture of applications of chaos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sB3LW0I1j30&list=PLm1X3gNOVk2b
gyLnS-zB28BHNnv_mpD1G