Quick taste test experiment to do in school
Here you can download the instructions for carrying out A Question of Taste with your students. You will need to use the taste test strips provided in The X-Bacteria kit to do this short experiment. For more information about ordering an X-Bacteria kit, click here.
Download A Question of Taste notebook
Workshop resources
Molecular biology workshops for post-16 students exploring taste perception are being run across the UK and are being co-ordinated by the Association for Science and Discovery Centres. The following document outlines the curriculum links for this workshop.
Dialogue resources for all schools
These resources can be used by all schools, whether attending a Question of Taste workshop or not. They have been designed to encourage discussion in your classroom about various ethical and social issues relating to evolution, genetic testing and taste.
Poor Taste
Students will examine some of the ideas behind the rise in obesity and consider possible ways to combat it. Resources guide students through discussions about the causes and effects of obesity and debate the pros and cons of various policies.
Presentation PowerPoint (387 KB)
Teacher resources PDF (329 KB)Word (1.4 MB)
Student resources PDF (347 KB)Word (1.9 MB)
Unnatural Selection
Acting as a local authority, students have to decide whether or not to accept a planning application to build a salmon farm. They will discuss the economic, social and environmental implications of the farm and work together to reach a consensus.
Presentation Powerpoint (1.4 MB)
Teacher resources PDF (331 KB)Word (1.4 MB)
Student resources PDF (384 KB)Word (2 MB)
Back from the Brink
With the advance of genetic technology the potential for humans to clone animals successfully is increasing and one application of this technology could be to bring back extinct animals or save endangered species from extinction. Students will debate the scientific and ethical issues of doing so.
Presentation PowerPoint (709 KB)
Teacher resources PDF (334 KB)Word (1.4 MB)
Student resources PDF (484 KB)Word (2.2 MB)
Are Humans Still Evolving?
Is natural selection still an important evolutionary force? What is affecting human evolution now and what does this mean for our future? Students will consider these questions and discuss the impact agriculture, medicine, culture and regulated societies are having on our evolution.
Presentation PowerPoint (920 KB)
Teacher resources PDF (309 KB)Word (1.4 MB)
Student resources PDF (268 KB)Word (1.9 MB)
Exploring controversial issues
If you are using any of these activities with your students you may wish to read the following guide to exploring controversial issues, packed full of tips on engaging young people with contemporary biomedical topics and ideas to use in the classroom.
Exploring controversial issues PDF (6.9 MB)
