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 non-...

Cytology, Genetics and Evolution is one of the titles in the series of ASE Lab Books that were published in the early 1970s for the Association for Science Education by John Murray. Each title covered one or two topics and brought together the best of the teaching notes...

Activities in this resource aim to:

• celebrate the achievement of completing the Human Genome project in 2003
• show the relevance of genome sequencing today
• explain the methods used for DNA sequencing, including the illumina method of rapid sequencing and the shotgun sequencing
...

This resource, from the University of Nottingham, describes a number of investigations which could be carried out in heathland habitats. Heathlands are excellent habitats to use for designing and carrying out experiments. Plants are often relatively easy to identify when compared with other habitats and...

As the number of cells in a microbial culture increases, turbidity increases. In this experiment students calculate doubling time and growth rate constant using absorbance as the measure of growth. Turbidity is caused by suspended cells in the growth medium scattering light, and may be measured using a colorimeter...

This experiment is a continuation of Determining Doubling Time. Students create a standard curve of absorbance against yeast concentration, and use this to determine the concentration of yeast produced over time.

The standard curve (dry mass, grams per litre) is generated from known concentrations of dried...

This resource provides background information for students about the structure of DNA, DNA replication, genetic engineering, cloning, genetic testing and DNA fingerprinting.

The activities for students include a practical activity where students extract their own DNA from cheek epithelial cells or plant...

This resource is designed to meet the specifications for the A-level practical endorsement in England (CPAC). However, it will make a valuable guide to dissection and scientific drawing of a flower for those following a variety of different specifications.

The ability to accurately observe, dissect and...

Produced by the Science Museum, this resource sees students working in groups to explore the issues surrounding genetic testing. Students receive a sealed secret box, that contains a chance card. Opening the box represents taking a genetic test. Students have to decide whether they would want to open the box. In...

Produced by the Citizen Science project, this resource engages students in debating the social, political and health issues surrounding the use of drugs.

In this activity, debate commences by introducing characters, scenarios and issues connected with drugs. Students are given opportunities to hot seat as...

Ecology is one of the titles in the series of ASE Lab Books that were published in the early 1970s for the Association for Science Education by John Murray. Each title covered one or two topics and brought together the best of the teaching notes and experimental ideas...

These activities allow students to model how environmental scientists compare diversity in different ecosystems by using ordinary playing cards as ‘species’ to generate data to calculate Simpson’s Diversity Index. This can be completed in a single lesson. Some students find the concept of species diversity quite...

Produced by Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS), these materials give a range of suggested activities that investigate enzyme activity in ripening fruit. These include:
• the changes in enzyme activity during ripening and storage
• the activity of the same...

This teaching guide provides a range of ideas and resources for teaching about enzymes at A level. Curriculum links include lock and key, active site, induced-fit, inhibitor, and cofactor.

Although produced to support the teaching of OCR AS and A Level Biology A specifications (H020 and H420), the resource...