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: http://www.sharktrust.org/en/educational_resources

drawing and colouring activities

P4-P6 Interactive tool to learn about http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities/foodchains.html

the food chain

P4-P6 Create and describe a marine http://c0026106.cdn1.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/f948b58e9b9142218

0d5d53f667ece39_habitat-sweet-habitat.pdf
habitat

P4-P6 Letter writing on shark finning http://www.tes.co.uk/teaching-resource/Shark-Trust-Stop-Shark-Finning-

6268954/

P4-S3 Shark finning game http://www.tes.co.uk/teaching-resource/Shark-Finning-Game-6277297/

S4-S6 Design and describe an http://c0026106.cdn1.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/6442ea19ef2d4c258

85d36d1f95a01bb_design-an-ecosystem.pdf
ecosystem

Inquiry Ideas: Shark Finning

Inquiry questions Relevant articles and video clips

How do our habits and traditions affect Video and article: Shark fins and ivory in Hong Kong
the ecosystem and biodiversity? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20917387

Interactive resource: Seafood decision guide

http://ocean.nationalgeographic.com/ocean/take-action/seafood-decision-
guide/ - /seafood-decision-guide/

What solutions could you propose for the Video and article: Shark fin drying in Hong Kong
shark fin trade? http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2013/jan/04/shark-fins-hong-kong-
rooftop-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 https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B4xMsNe4G32CNmR4NElId3BiZ00/edit

experiment on the mouth in the
digestive system

S1-S3 Animation overview of digestive http://www.neok12.com/video/Digestive-

System/zX500a066365600175060063.htm
system

S1-S3 Worksheets on digestive tract https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B4xMsNe4G32CdXZ3cWZTNWFzcGM/ed

it

S1-S3 Word games on digestive http://bogglesworldesl.com/digestivesystem.htm

system

S4-S6 Animation of digestive system http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/health-and-human-

body/human-body/digestive-system-article/

Inquiry Ideas: Digestion

Inquiry questions Relevant articles and videos

How could you eat without a digestive
system?
How useful is a camera that you can
swallow?
Article on sea cucumbers: how to eat without a digestive
system
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn23124-zoologger-how-to-eat-
without-a-digestive-system.html
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 http://www.factmonster.com/encyclopedia/people/leeuwenhoek-antony-

van.html
Leeuwenhoek

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/schwann-

theodor.html

P4-P6 Resource on history of cell http://www.kidsbiology.com/biology_basics/cells_tissues_organs/cell_h

istory_discovery4.php
biology

Classroom Experiments: Microscopes

Activity Resources

Make your own microscope http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/projects/microscope.html

Microscope activity looking at living http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/experiments/microscopiccreatures.html

creatures in water
 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 http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/educators/teaching_resources/activitie

s/shape_shifting_slime.aspx
materials, solvents and slime

S1-S3 Practical experiment http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/educators/teaching_resources/activitie

s/soap_challenge.aspx
investigating physical changes
in materials with soap
S1-S3 Practical experiment to make http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/experiments/quicksand.html
quicksand with cornstarch

S1-S3 Video of properties of polymers, http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/educators/teaching_resources/videos/

newtons_nemesis.aspx
oobleck and non-Newtonian
fluids
S1-S3 Video of silly putty and non- http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/educators/teaching_resources/videos/
nutty_putty.aspx
Newtonian fluids

S4-S6 Video explanation of the http://www.neok12.com/video/Circulatory-

System/zX716a5e6a5373426e405867.htm
composition of blood

S4-S6 Video explanation of how blood http://www.neok12.com/video/Circulatory-

System/zX020b007271626a7e001a45.htm
clots

Inquiry Ideas: Blood and Slime

Inquiry questions Relevant articles and video clips

What would happen if we stopped Article on blood donors in Hong Kong

donating blood? http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1412534/red-cross-
appeals-more-blood-donations-some-would-be-donors-found

What’s the best way to escape Video of a cornstarch experiment

quicksand? 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 Article on 5 uses of DNA testing

analysis bring in the future? 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 Video (9min) overview of the dig, excavation and DNA analysis of
body is a particular person? 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 Article on 5 uses of DNA testing

analysis bring in the future? 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 Article explaining the powers of 8 superheroes

superhero’s powers be
explained?
http://www.popsci.com/entertainment-gaming/gallery/2008-01/superhero-
physics/?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 Video lecture speculating on what if we had superpowers

superpowers? http://www.thewhatifconference.com/wi/we_all_had_superpowers

Which species have the Article on biotechnological advances that can enhance our abilities
greatest relative powers? 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 Video (11 min) on effects of climate change on biodiversity
like in 30 years time? 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-affects-
biodiversity

Article about interesting plant facts

http://ecowatch.com/2013/12/31/10-incredible-plant-facts/

How can we slow down the extinction rate Resource on sustainable development
without affecting economic growth? 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-who-
cares
 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 Resource on chaos of the brain functioning
human body? 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 Interactive activity with population dynamics
population dynamics? http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/RabbitsAndWolves/

What if there was no chaos? Video of discovery of applications of chaos theory

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