Workshops
For further information on our workshops please send an email to:
Students debate preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD)
In June 2010, year 10 students from Birkenhead School debated Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD). The topic was ‘Anyone who does not wish to pass on an inherited condition should have the right to preimplantation genetic diagnosis on the NHS.’
Voter's Views
(Click for an enlarged view)
They really enjoyed the workshop in which they voted and then watched video from the Video Viewpoints section of Gene Journey. They debated amongst themselves and then voted a second time. They results showed how much their opinion changed during the workshop.
See the feedback for comments from the class.
Examples of Workshops
We offer a range of workshops which can be tailored to your specific requirements. We specialise in providing a wide selection of multimedia experiences to engage learners in genetics.
In June 2009 Dr Tina Read ran a workshop with triple science GCSE students from Priory Sports and Technology College in Preston on genetic testing in children. Tina is particularly interested in this topic because she was recently asked to debate it as a member of the Human Genetics Commission Consultative Panel. The commission advices the government on issues related to genetics and ethics and the Consultative Panel gives a voice to people affected by genetic conditions and their families. The workshop was really animated; the students enjoyed using Voter's Views software. It was featured in the education section of the Lancashire Evening Post.
Prof Maj Hulten presenting her recent work on trisomy 21.
As a teacher/lecturer you can choose between running the workshops with us or letting us run them for you. For example, in January 2009 Dr Tina Read worked with Professor Maj Hulten, Dr Kevin Moffat and Dr Prakesh Arumugam to run a two day workshop on antenatal testing and Down Syndrome. The students were second year Biomedical Science undergraduates at Warwick University.
Dr Tina Read demonstrating Gene Journey.
The workshop included talks by Dr Tina Read and Professor Maj Hulten. Tina showed animations from Gene Journey which demonstrate how meiosis or mitosis can go wrong leading to conditions like Down Syndrome. She also gave a guided tour of the Virtual Cytogenetics Lab of Gene Journey.
Student competing on a timed interactive quiz.
The students played an interactive quiz (from Gene Journey) to familiarise themselves with the stages of meiosis. They were divided into teams which competed against each other.
Daniel Hardy, Voice UK (Centre)
Daniel Hardy from Voice UK came in and talked about living with Down Syndrome and answered the students’ questions. The students were divided into groups to produce a PowerPoint presentation. Many of the groups included a video in which they acted, filmed and edited a relevant role play scenario, such as a midwife talking to a pregnant women about antenatal testing.
Online training video.
Tina and Bob Read have run workshops in which the students created their own mitosis animation using Macromedia Flash animation. The students worked at their own pace from an online training video. The cross-curricular nature of these workshops, involving the development of multimedia skills and exploring issues in genetics, appeals to today’s IT literate students.