Epidemics and Infections
With norovirus and flu epidemics hitting the headlines every winter, the Society for General Microbiology and the British Society for Immunology will provide students with a fascinating insight into the microbial world. These resources can be used back in the classroom to investigate the spread of infection and the immune system.
After a visit to the Medical Research Council stand to discover the latest advances in anti-viral drug development, encourage students to consider the wide range of career opportunities in this field with these resources.
Sneeze Zone
Introduce a lesson on the spread of disease with this practical activity which demonstrates how microbes, such as bacteria and viruses, can be spread through coughing and sneezing. This can be a quick starter or developed into a class practical.
Secondary: Harmful Microbes
A starter activity to introduce some common pathogens, diseases, symptoms and treatments.
Epidemics
This is a comprehensive source of information about the spread of infection, epidemics and national health protection issues. By giving different sections of the magazine to groups of students, the resource is useful for generating discussion on how we balance individual rights with the need to protect public health.
The article is accompanied by a series of audio plays which can add a more personal element to the discussion.
Acticoat (Smith & Nephew)
Why not take a lesson on reducing the spread of infection and the use of antibiotics a step further and look at the application of nanotechnology in protecting wounds against bacteria with this practical investigation.
Cold Wars
Produced by the Society for General Microbiology (SGM), this resource contains highly illustrated and accessible information about how the common cold is caused by viruses, and is ideal for use in resource packs for student research or group work activities.
Influenza
A 'Big Picture' article with plenty of information on the flu , pandemics, swine flu and flu vaccinations. It is useful for information for presentations or group work activities.
Down the Plughole
If your students had fun building their own biofilm and then trying to blast it apart on the Society for General Microbiology stand, they will be fascinated to discover in detail how these slimey structures form. This resource describes the many places where biofilms are found as well as where they are actually useful!
Society for General Microbiology website
An inspirational website which supports the teaching and learning of microbiology in the classroom across the key stages.
Career Development
Medical research continues to expand with each major new discovery and technical innovation. It offers those with scientific ability a wide choice of opportunities to put their talents to work to improve human health. This article looks at what medical research involves, what it can offer as a career and typical entry level requirements.
Stories of Impact
The Medical Research Council supports research across the entire spectrum of medical sciences in order to improve public health. Their examples of the impact of this research on our lives can be integrated into the scheme of work in the appropriate places to demonstrate the application of the science and its effect on real lives.