Schools and teachers: Key Stage 5
Our Key Stage 5 education service will continue during the Museum’s temporary closure as a targeted programme of outreach activities, bookable sessions at the Botanic Garden, and a number of special events and study days inside the Museum.
School teachers who would like to book a session or special event please contact education@oum.ox.ac.uk.
Special Events
A question of taste: using PCR to investigate human evolution
A FREE hands-on workshop for post-16 biology students.
Dates available February, March, October 2013
This workshop investigates an unusual genetic trait that allows some people to taste a bitter chemical called PTC, whilst others cannot. Students analyse and compare their version of a bitter taste receptor gene (their genotype) to their ability to taste PTC (their phenotype). Students learn about molecular biology techniques by using research-quality equipment.
Download the leaflet for more information.
Museum study days
During 2013 the Key Stage 5 Study Day programme has been extended to six themes. The programme for each day includes talks from research scientists and hands-on activities related to the theme.
Physiology and Adaptation
Wednesday 6th February
Gene Technology
Thursday 21st March
Ecology and Conservation
Wednesday 19th June
Biodiversity and Taxonomy
Thursday 26th September
Evolution
Wednesday 23rd October
Inside Cells
Thursday 5th December
Key Stage 5 Teacher Study Day: The Alfred Russel Wallace Story
Wednesday 12th December
To mark the 100th anniversary of the death of Alfred Russel Wallace, the Museum will host a series of talks and activities highlighting Wallace’s work and his role in the story of evolution.
At the Botanic Garden
Biodiversity and Evolution
During 2013 one of the most popular sessions for A-level biologists will be offered at the University Botanic Garden. Students handle and compare Museum specimens to explore the connection between taxonomy, classification and phylogeny. This is related to principles of natural selection, evolution and speciation across the natural world.
During the 90 minute session students spend half the time using the Museum’s handling collection and half in the Botanic Garden glasshouses and walled garden.
Online resources: learning more
- Browse learning more
Learning more provides a series of articles for older students on the history and science relating to the Museum and its collections of rocks, fossils and animals.
Learning more articles are PDF format and are usually 500kB or less in size.
To read these files you will need to download Adobe Reader
Enquiries regarding education services should be sent to: education@oum.ox.ac.uk
