education newsletter: summer term 2014
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Read the latest edition of our education newsletter.TRANSCRIPT
Summer Term 2014
Noel Jackson, Head of Education
newsletterEducation
On-Point Dancer Copyright: Gunther von Hagens'
BOD
Y W
ORL
DS, Institute for Plastination, Heidelberg, Germany, www.bodyworlds.com
Teacher Premiere
The Exhibition ofReal Human Bodies
Dear colleague,I am very excited for two reasons.
The first is that Mathstastic will now
be available on demand (see page
3). The next step for us will be to
look at specialist workshops for KS3
and the possibility of Mathstastic for
Lower KS2. As a subscriber to this
newsletter, you will be among the
first to hear of our progress.
I have been hoping that BODYWORLDS would come to Life
since I joined the Centre in 2002,
so I am delighted that we have
BODY WORLDS Vital as our
main summer exhibition. There
isn’t a better way of finding out
how the body works and how its
various systems fit together. But
the exhibition is more than a
study of anatomy and physiology.
The exhibits are presented with
great flair and anyone who has
marvelled at Leonardo’s
anatomical drawings will see that
it is a stimulus for art as well as a
springboard for ethical discussion.
I hope you will be able to attend
the Teacher Premiere to see for
yourself what BODY WORLDSVital has to offer your class.
Best wishes
Thursday 15 May 2014
Suitability: KS2 and above
Join us after school for a guided tour of BODY WORLDS Vital and our teachinglaboratories, led by our education staff,with a chance to ask questions aboutthe exhibition.
If you can’t make the Teacher Premiere,we’re happy to organise a show-round foryou on a date that suits - just let us know!
For more information and to reserve your free place, call (0191) 243 8223.
BODY WORLDS Vital is an awe-inspiringjourney through the human body,celebrating its complexity, beauty andpotential. It makes its UK debut at Life inMay 2014. BODY WORLDS Vital bringstogether a collection of real human bodies,specimens, organs and body slicespreserved through plastination, a ground-breaking preservation method invented byDr. Gunther von Hagens.
Students will learn about anatomy, health,lifestyle choices and the body’s fullpotential by viewing real human bodies.
BODY WORLDS Vital is also of interest toart and design students, and as a startingpoint for ethical debate.
Educational materials are available tosupport your class visit to BODY WORLDSVital, and we have developed curriculum-linked workshops on bodies and health forevery age group which can be bookedalone or in combination with an exhibitionvisit – see page 3 for details.
Included in your Science Centre visit.To book call (0191) 243 8223.
Bookings: (0191) 243 8223 Information: (0191) 243 8211 [email protected] life.org.uk/education
New exhibition
Workshops:Chromosomes & DNA UKS3Two practical experiments to extract and visualize chromosomes and DNA.
Forensic DNA KS3+DNA fingerprinting to solve a crime using gel electrophoresis.
Masterclasses:PCR: A Question of Taste 16+Our flagship DNA masterclass covering PCR, restriction digests and gel electrophoresis.
Mammoth DNA UKS3+DNA analysis to discover which elephant species would make the bestsurrogate mother if we were to clone a mammoth.
Genetic Engineering KS4+Students insert plasmids into real genes to modify bacterial DNA andobserve the results.
Bacterial Evolution KS4+Analysis of bacterial DNA by restriction digest and gel electrophoresis todetermine whether harmful strains cause mild or fatal symptoms.
WorkshopsWe offer an extensive selection of workshops andmasterclasses for KS2 to 16+ exploring DNA and cellbiology. We’ve picked out some highlights below:
Man or monkey? Girl or boy? Innocent orguilty? A little DNA can make a big difference!
Our new exhibition, Inside DNA, explores developments inthe fast-moving field of human genomics, and the ethicalissues they raise.
Included in your Science Centre visit.To book call (0191) 243 8223.
Inside DNA
Visit life.org.uk/dna-and-cell-biology to see all of our workshops on this topic.
Workshop only: £3 per pupil.Workshop and Science Centre visit: £7 per pupil. Masterclass only: £150 for a whole class, £75 for a half class.
Masterclass or workshop? Workshops are differentiated curriculum-linked practical sessions.They can be combined with a full Science Centre visit. Masterclassesare longer, in-depth sessions, generally aimed at older students.
Practical Assessments for KS4+Life has been working in partnership with teachers from several schools todeliver bespoke practical assessment days. We aim for the highest gradesand intersperse an intensive day of experiments and structured writing withchances to let off steam on the 4D Motion Ride and in the planetarium. Our most spectacular successes have come with groups who missed thecritical C grade in earlier assessments.
“The program was a massive success, with the average improvement upon theprevious controlled assessment grade being upwards of two full grades. Thehigher than predicted controlled assessment score meant that half of thesestudents ultimately went on to achieve a C grade or above when they re-sat the Gateway Science Core GCSE in Year 11.”Scott Hayes, Joseph Swam Academy
To find out more or to arrange a Practical Assessment Dayfor your class, contact our education department by calling (0191) 243 8211 or emailing [email protected]
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OutreachWe can come to you!If you are having difficulty bringing yourclass to Life, we can come to you; we’lltravel anywhere between the Tweed andthe Tees. Our most popular outreachworkshops are:
MathstasticNow available on demandWe are delighted to announce that we cannow offer Mathstastic sessions on demandat any time of the year. Mathstasticconsists of a circus of maths puzzles andgames, a maths show and a maths trail.The current show, Astronavigation, isdelivered in our planetarium, and themaths trail has indoor and outdoorversions to make the most of the weather.Mathstastic sessions can be combinedwith a full Science Centre visit in the sameway as other workshops.
Bookings: (0191) 243 8223 Information: (0191) 243 8211 [email protected] life.org.uk/education
Inflatable PlanetariumExplore the stars in our portableplanetarium, led by our graduate ScienceExplainers.Differentiated for all ages.
Stamp RocketsA ’design and make’ workshop in whichparticipants make air-powered rockets.Differentiated for KS2 - 4.
Animal AdaptationAn engaging participatory show exploringthe many ways animals are adapted totheir environments.Suitable for KS1 - 3.
MathstasticA circus of puzzles and activities and a morein-depth exploration of probability, symmetryor shape and pattern.Suitable for UKS2 and KS3.
Dino MathsAn extended workshop for a single class,using curiosity about dinosaurs to stimulateengagement in maths.Suitable for Year 5 and 6.
To discuss availability, or make abooking, please call our educationdepartment on (0191) 243 8211, oremail [email protected]
£300 per day.
£5 per pupil for Mathstastic only, or £10 per pupil combined with aScience Centre visit.
HumanBiologyWorkshopsHuman biology has always been central to the NationalCurriculum and Life offers a full complement of workshopssuitable for each key stage.
We’ve picked out some highlightsbelow:
• Your Body KS1
• Keeping Healthy LKS2 or UKS2
• Circulation and Movement KS2
• Cells KS3
• Food Tests and Digestion KS3+
• Hair & Skin KS4+
• Fluid Balance KS4+
To find out more about these andother workshops on human biology,visit life.org.uk/humans or contactour education department bycalling (0191) 243 8211 or [email protected]
The Exhibition of Real Human Bodies
Workshop only: £3 per pupil.Workshop and Science Centrevisit: £7 per pupil. To book, call (0191) 243 8223.
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Bookings: (0191) 243 8223Information: (0191) 243 8211 [email protected]/education
Times SquareNewcastle upon TyneNE1 4EP
Sign-up To receive a copy of our Education Newsletter, please email [email protected] your fullname, position and school (stating email or post as a preference). We like to save paper where possible, so if you would prefer to receive this newsletter electronically, please email [email protected] and let us know.
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Bring your schoolleavers’ prom to LifeIf you’re thinking of booking a school leavers’ prom,choose Life for a sophisticated celebration in a uniquevenue. Life is an educational charity and all revenuefrom events helps to ensure we can continue to engagepeople of all ages in science.
For more information and to book, please call the LifeConference and Banqueting team on (0191) 243 8216/(0191) 243 8284 or visit lifeconferencing.co.uk/proms
Your visit to LifeA school visit to Life typically includes time to explore theScience Centre (including current exhibitions) plus aworkshop of your choice. We can customise allworkshops to meet the needs of students, so if you can’tfind what you’re looking for, call (0191) 243 8211 oremail [email protected] and we’ll see what we cando.
To book a visit, call (0191) 243 8223.
For full details of what’s on at Life for schools, along withrisk assessments, visit life.org.uk/education
PricesScience Centre visit only: £5 per pupil
Workshop only: £3 per pupil
Playful Science (Early Years workshops): £5 per pupil
Workshop + Science Centre visit: £7 per pupil
DNA Masterclass: £150 (full class) or £75 (half class)
Mathstastic: £5 per pupil
Mathstastic + Science Centre visit: £10 per pupil
Outreach: £300 per day
Teachers: FREE
Follow@scienceatlifeon Twitter to getthe latest newsand updates.
PlanetariumWe have the largest planetarium in theNorth of England, offering a range ofshows which are differentiated for allkey stages from KS1 - 5. We also offera full programme of space, astronomyand astrophysics workshops to enableyou to create your own ‘Space Day’.
A planetarium film is included in mostScience Centre visits. Presenter-ledplanetarium shows are available for£3 per pupil, or £7 per pupil whencombined with a full Science Centre visit.
Visit our website for further details: life.org.uk/planetarium-workshops
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