This Science upd8 activity draws on clinical trials. Eight young volunteers had been in clinical trials before, but this time things went horribly wrong. Six of the eight were left fighting for their lives. In this discussion activity students consider whether new treatments should be ever tested on human...

These three activities, from Centre of the Cell, demonstrate how double blind trials are run, explaining what a placebo is and how the placebo effect works, how bias is removed as far as possible and how participants and trial medicines are randomised. Through these activities, students investigate the placebo...

A series of images representing double helix images.

• DNA double helix and sequencing output: molecular model of a DNA double helix showing the individual atoms (apart from hydrogen) as coloured balls. Carbon atoms are in white, oxygen in red, phosporus in purple and nitrogen in blue....

Produced by Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS), the investigations suggested in this resource use duckweeds. These seem to be simple plants - small, green, and with no flowers. However, this simplicity makes them ideal experimental organisms for investigations into...

From the Microbiology Society, this resource contains information about biofilms. These are communities of microbial cells attached to a surface. For example, the slime lining plugholes and drains or the rough deposit that can coat teeth at the end of the day. The information clearly describes: * What are biofilms...

A Catalyst article about the working life of Dr Gillian Lockwood, a reproductive biologist who specialises in IVF. The article looks at the ethical issues surrounding fertility treatments for problems such as polycystic ovary syndrome.

This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2007, Volume 17, Issue...

This report presents and evaluates an interactive exhibition which celebrated a year in the life of a newt. Held in 2012 as part of National Science and Engineering Week, the aim of the exhibition was to improve basic knowledge of newts; their classification, lifecycle and UK species.

Footprints, provided by the Association for Science Education (ASE) focuses around the science of genetics. The play was commissioned by British Association of the Advancement of Science (BA) and developed by the Amoeba Theatre Company.

It was premiered at the National Portrait Gallery in March 2002.

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This resource, aimed at Key Stage Two, covers the topic areas of plants and animals in the environment and helping plants grow well. In the form of a play script, Growing Pains takes a humorous look at what plants need to grow. Carbunckle a robot, Princess Creosote an alien and Joseph Soap the gardener, meet in a...

This resource, provided by the Association for Science Education (ASE), is a play about the history of radioactivity, and how we discovered its uses and dangers. It was written for students aged 14-16 years on the theme of ideas and evidence.

Drama is very popular with students and can be used to stimulate...

These two drama scripts, from the Association for Science Education (ASE), can be used to stimulate discussion and debate. These activities can be developed as far as teachers like, including ideas for short role-plays in science classes or full school productions.

The Plague at Eyam is a script for students...

A Catalyst article about preventing drink driving. Since 1980, the UK's government estimates it has saved over 20,000 lives by its campaign to reduce drink driving. The article looks at how this result is achieved and how the body copes with alcohol and how it breaks alcohol down.

This article is from...

A Catalyst article about the fruit fly which has played a succession of key roles in developments in biological science over the last 100 years as a laboratory subject in genetics.

Researchers have found that many aspects of the biochemistry of fruit flies and humans are similar. It is due to the fact that...

Published by the Wellcome Trust, the 'Big Picture' explores issues around biology and medicine.

While providing immense benefits, drugs are not the perfect solution. They only work on a proportion of patients,...

Produced by the Citizen Science project, this resource engages students in debating the social, political and health issues surrounding the use of drugs.

In this activity, debate commences by introducing characters, scenarios and issues connected with drugs. Students are given opportunities to hot seat as...