DNA to Darwin courses at the Science Learning Centres
The DNA to Darwin resources will be sent free-of-charge to all UK secondary schools later this year, but to assist with their use, the Wellcome Trust is funding a series of subsidised workshops for UK teachers at the Science Learning Centres and other venues.
Places on these workshops are strictly limited and demand is likely to be great, so please book up quickly if you wish to take advantage of this offer. Please note that these workshops are not appropriate for science or ICT technicians.
The workshops
These one-day workshops are for teachers of AS/A2 Level Biology or equivalent courses. Participants will be guided through an introductory exercise which covers relevant techniques of bioinformatics. They will have the opportunity to try three or more of the DNA to Darwin Case Studies and see other evolution teaching resources.
Outcomes
At the end of the workshop, participants should be able to:
- Explain how DNA and protein sequence data are obtained and analysed and identify suitable educational methods for teaching about this, building upon students’ knowledge and understanding obtained at GCSE (or equivalent) level.
- Recognise and explain the significance of such data in both pure and applied evolutionary biology.
- Select Case Studies and computer-based analytical tools from the range provided that are appropriate for their students to use.
- Explain the basic principles underlying DNA and protein sequence analysis and guide their students in the use of bioinformatics tools and the analysis of data.
Feedback from course participants
- “An excellent day. Very informative, thoroughly enjoyable and superb value for money”.
- “Challenging and exciting”.
- “An excellent INSET opportunity — will send another colleague”.
- “An excellent event. Glad I came. Learned a great deal regarding bioinformatics... Thanks”.
- “Fantastic. The best course I have ever been on. Good materials and excellent presentation”.
- “Extremely useful resources which can be adapted for several courses and levels”.
- “Imaginative and engaging approach — much better than any other course I have attended”.
- “Great input from knowledgeable presenters. Good to have science rather than educational babble!”.
- “Fantastic course — [I've] been looking forward to it since the January ASE meeting and I was not disappointed!”.
Booking
Please book with the Science Learning Centre of your choice, or Techniquest, not with the NCBE or the Wellcome Trust. Details can be found at the Science Learning Centres’ web portal: www.sciencelearningcentres.org.uk or from the individual Science Learning Centre sites or the Techniquest site, which are linked to below.
Cost
This subsidised course will cost £25 per person (including lunch). For the SLC courses only, Impact Awards of £200 per person may be available for specific groups of teachers in the state sector. Please contact the Science Learning Centres to find out whether you are eligible.
Free resources pack
All participants will receive a CD-ROM of the DNA to Darwin Case Studies and a package of related materials worth over £40.
