FREE EVOLUTION EDUCATION RESOURCES
To mark the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth, The Wellcome Trust
is commissioning and funding two major national education initiatives, with free
activities available for all Primary and Secondary UK state schools from March
09.
The resources are primarily designed for use by schools, but Wellcome are
keen to encourage anyone with an interest in science education and
engagement to adapt and use the resources in 2009 and beyond.
* For 5 -11 year olds we have 'The Great Plant Hunt … following in Darwin’s
footsteps', delivered by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
A ‘treasure chest’ packed with everything needed to help children follow in the
footsteps of Darwin will be sent to primary schools in March 2009. Through a
series of simple and fun activities children will learn key scientific skills through
exploring habitats, collecting seeds, growing plants and going on nature walks
around their school grounds and elsewhere.
Details about the activities are already available at www.greatplanthunt.org
and a wealth of resources will be available on the site early next year in the
run up to the chests being sent to schools.
From the website, anyone will be able to download the comprehensive
education packs, use the animations and video clips, and take part in the
mass participation activities.
As part of the Great Plant Hunt, Kew are also developing resources to help
organisations to run their own Thinking Walk activities for 5-11 year olds.
These will be suitable for museums, parks, gardens – anywhere with a
reasonable area of outside space – to help their visitors to get involved in
2009 and beyond.
*For Secondary schools we have 'Survival Rivals – experiments inspired by
Darwin', delivered by Phillip Harris and Guardian Professional*
Three experiment kits for 11-19 year olds will be available, each tailored to
different age groups. Teachers will be able to order kits to enable their
students to carry out Darwin-inspired experiments:
* 'I’m a worm get me out of here' - natural selection in predator-prey
relationships (using ‘spaghetti worms’ and wild birds), for 11-14s
* 'Brine Date' - sexual selection and mate choice in brine shrimp, for 14-16s
* 'The X-Bacteria' - evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria for 16+
Again, anyone will be able to download the education packs containing full
details of the activities and CPD support, and use the interactives and videos
available on the website www.survivalrivals.org from early 2009.
For further details about these and other Darwin-themed activities supported
by the Wellcome Trust visit: www.wellcome.ac.uk/darwin200 or contact Amy
Sanders via [log in to unmask]
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