Lesson 2 – Meet the Scientists and Researchers (access to computers)

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Lesson Objectives

This alternative version of Lesson 2 allows for more independent learning if students have access to computers.

  • Get to know scientists from Oxford University and realise they are normal people
  • Explore the site and interact with real scientists and researchers using ASK.
  • Broaden students’ perceptions of scientists and university, and contribute to students’ science capital (see more at iasuk.ddev.site/science-capital.)

Curriculum Links

  • Select, organise and present scientific information.
  • Evaluate scientific information and make informed judgements from it.

Resources

  • ICT suite or a computer and projector in the classroom so students can work together with the teacher leading
  • Access to hertford19.iasuk.ddev.site

Starter: 10 minutes

Recap the Hertford College Zone activity, and what can be done on the site (reading profiles, ASK, CHAT and VOTE). Or use ‘fold game’ starter from the scientific speed-dating version of Lesson 2.

Activity: 30 minutes

  1. In pairs, mindmap suitable questions students want to ask the scientists and researchers, then discuss as a class.
  2. Send students to hertford19.iasuk.ddev.site to log in using their login stickers (independently or in pairs). Read the profiles of each scientist and researcher.
  3. Write down three interesting things they find out from the profiles
  4. Post a question in ASK.
  5. Read some of the other questions and answers on the site. Who do students think should win this term? Cast votes (students can change their vote later if they change their mind).

Support: Give more assistance in thinking up questions. Use the criteria from Lesson 1 and Suggested Questions as a basis.

Extend: Allow more freedom when looking at the site. Write a short paragraph about what they find on the site to present back to the class. Justify more clearly which scientist they like best.

Plenary: 5 minutes

Students present their three interesting things to the class, and which scientist they want to win or who they would not vote for and why. Are the scientists as the students expected? If not, how are they different?

Suggested Homework

Pick one of the scientists. Find out about their area of science and write about it, including:

  • What they study
  • What department they work in
  • A famous scientist from the area they study

Extension: Continue reading the questions and answers already on the site. Comment or post more of your questions in ASK. If you’ve changed your mind about who you want to win, change your vote.

Suggested Questions

  1. At what kind of place do you work?  
  2. What have you got planned for this year? 
  3. What’s it like living in Oxford?
  4. Do you work alone or as part of a team? If so how many people and in what way?
  5. Where did you live before moving to Oxford?
  6. What is your research trying to find out?
  7. Why did you decide to go to university?