I agree that movies about cloning or raising the dead could help to
attract boys (and even myself) to biology lessons.
Christopher Rose is an associate professor of biology at James Madison
University, Virginia, USA and he does exactly that:
Rose, C. (2003). "How to teach biology using the movie science of
cloning people, resurrecting the dead, and combining flies and humans."
Public Understanding of Science 12(3): 289 - 296.
I think this refernce could be helpful
Joachim
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Joachim Allgaier
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-----Original Message-----
From: psci-com: on the public understanding of science
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Arney, Katherine
Sent: 25 May 2004 11:51
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] boys and biology
Two things spring to mind (warning, huge sweeping stereotype alert):
Boys like
a) sex
b) gadgets/technology
You could try and spin it to explain that modern biology is all about
biotech and DNA (gadgets and sex) rather than plants and pickled worms
which my biology classes were all about. There's been a few films and
programmes with biology slants (eg the current virus plotline in 24,
GATTACA, Mission impossible, spiderman, even the cloning of Mini-Me in
Austin Powers)- perhaps you could use these as inspiration for displays
or discussions which might involve boys a bit more.
Anyway, hope that helps,
Kat
Dr Katharine L. Arney
Lymphocyte Development Group
MRC Clinical Sciences Centre
Imperial College
Hammersmith Hospital Campus
Du Cane Road
London W12 0NN
Phone: 02083838240
Mobile: 07779307253
Fax: 02083838240
"I try to take each day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me
at once"
-----Original Message-----
From: psci-com: on the public understanding of science
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mandy Tulloch
Sent: 25 May 2004 11:41
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [PSCI-COM] boys and biology
Dear All
Any thoughts or suggestions on this?
The second years (age 13) from a local secondary school recently visited
us at the University of Aberdeen Natural History Centre as their teacher
wanted to promote biology as a subject for them to choose at standard
grade. The second year pupils choose the subjects they want to study for
standard grade in January for the next academic year starting in August.
Their uptake did increase - not simply because they visited the
university!
- but mainly by more girls choosing the subject. The school is still
very keen on attracting boys to the biology labs. Any suggestions on how
to target and promote this subject specifically to boys?
Thanks!
Mandy.
------------
Mandy Tulloch
Development Co-ordinator
Natural History Centre
University of Aberdeen
Zoology Building
Tillydrone Avenue
Aberdeen AB24 2TZ
T - 01224 493 288
E - [log in to unmask]
W - www.abdn.ac.uk/nhc
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