Biology in the news: scientists create first cloned human embryo from skin cells. Tell us what you think.
Link - First human clone
Same story in The Guardian newspaper
Wednesday, 15 May 2013
Tuesday, 14 May 2013
Off to uni? Time to have "the talk"!
Now, I'm not trying to say that I think you'll all be tom-catting around and getting up to no good at uni, and far be it from me to tell you how to live your lives...
...but, since you're entering a new and exciting phase, one with boundless possibilities and greater personal freedom, here's some free advice:
Link - safer sex
;) Laura
Thursday, 9 May 2013
Tuesday, 30 April 2013
Where did April go??
Hi all, the sun is shining and we're feeling celebratory so here are a few things we want to highlight.
Well done to:
The end of this academic year is in sight now, so time to take a deep breath and Go for Gold! We know you won't let us down.
Laura :)
- If you want to thank us for our help and support, PLEASE don't use any of these dreadful ideas (we like chocolate and cake) Tacky teacher appreciation gift ideas *
Well done to:
- All AS and A2 Biology students for surviving the EMPA practical assessments! All over for another year and we are feeling confident that there will be some good grades awarded for Units 3 and 6.
- Everyone who took part in, or attended, the Q&A session with Vivienne Westwood. We were lucky to receive a visit from such an illustrious celebrity and, judging by the feedback I have received, I think it is safe to say that we all now understand why she is such a devisive character. It was clear to see how her Punk spirit has influenced both her career and her personality!
- All BTEC Level 2 and 3 students, who are well on-track to complete their final units to schedule. Some great independent study skills on display and a very mature work ethic demonstrated by the vast majority of you. This year looks set to be the smoothest finish yet for BTEC Science at H6FC! Keep it up guys!
- Our BTEC Level 2 CSI Forensic Science Unit is well underway and all seems to progressing well. I hope you catch the culprit! (Michelle has been looking shifty lately if you ask me...)
The end of this academic year is in sight now, so time to take a deep breath and Go for Gold! We know you won't let us down.
Laura :)
- If you want to thank us for our help and support, PLEASE don't use any of these dreadful ideas (we like chocolate and cake) Tacky teacher appreciation gift ideas *
Wednesday, 20 March 2013
Vivienne Westwood Visit
Did you hear the news? Have you seen the posters? Do you check your student bulletin each week???
Dame Vivienne Westwood is visiting our college next month! (Squeeeeaaak!)
This is awesomely exciting news, and for any of you wondering why......this is why:
Who is Vivienne Westwood? You see? VERY famous, VERY influential, VERY exciting!!
Email Zara in Art to book your place in the audience.
The purpose of Vivienne Westwood's visit is to speak about climate change, as this is something she feels really strongly about. We will be talking a lot about environmental issues and climate change to get us in the mood. To start with, what are your thoughts on the issues raised in this article by Leo Hickman? Guardian Blog
Laura :)
Dame Vivienne Westwood is visiting our college next month! (Squeeeeaaak!)
This is awesomely exciting news, and for any of you wondering why......this is why:
Who is Vivienne Westwood? You see? VERY famous, VERY influential, VERY exciting!!
Email Zara in Art to book your place in the audience.
The purpose of Vivienne Westwood's visit is to speak about climate change, as this is something she feels really strongly about. We will be talking a lot about environmental issues and climate change to get us in the mood. To start with, what are your thoughts on the issues raised in this article by Leo Hickman? Guardian Blog
Laura :)
Easter work
Hi all,
As you are aware, there will be no formal Easter revision sessions for Biology. There will, however, be plenty of independent study tasks for you to work on during the hols!
Anne and I will let you know what you should be doing and we'll post further details to the blog at the end of next week.
Laura :)
P.S. Take a look at this - it's creepy as heck! Animals hunting slow-mo
As you are aware, there will be no formal Easter revision sessions for Biology. There will, however, be plenty of independent study tasks for you to work on during the hols!
Anne and I will let you know what you should be doing and we'll post further details to the blog at the end of next week.
Laura :)
P.S. Take a look at this - it's creepy as heck! Animals hunting slow-mo
Wednesday, 6 March 2013
EMPA Dates
IMPORTANT!! EMPA (Externally Marked Practical Exam) DATES!
A2 Unit 6
Task 1 - Wednesday 20th March 10.45 S2
Task 2 - Friday 22nd March 1pm S2
Task 3 - Monday 25th March 9am S2
AS Unit 3
Task 1 - Wednesday 24th April 9 am S1 & S2
Task 2 - Thursday 25th April 1 pm S2 & S3
Task 3 - Friday 26th April 3 pm S2 & S3
A2 Unit 6
Task 1 - Wednesday 20th March 10.45 S2
Task 2 - Friday 22nd March 1pm S2
Task 3 - Monday 25th March 9am S2
AS Unit 3
Task 1 - Wednesday 24th April 9 am S1 & S2
Task 2 - Thursday 25th April 1 pm S2 & S3
Task 3 - Friday 26th April 3 pm S2 & S3
Biology in the news
Hi all,
I saw a story this morning which blew my mind! Take a look:
Virtual model - human metabolism
This idea could be a snapshot of the future for individualised medical treatments. A very clever idea and a fascinating area of research at the moment.
The actual details of Recon 2 are above our level of study, but we can appreciate this project as an inspirational concept.
Laura :)
I saw a story this morning which blew my mind! Take a look:
Virtual model - human metabolism
This idea could be a snapshot of the future for individualised medical treatments. A very clever idea and a fascinating area of research at the moment.
The actual details of Recon 2 are above our level of study, but we can appreciate this project as an inspirational concept.
Laura :)
Wednesday, 27 February 2013
Resources update
Hi all,
Some of you have been asking me whether we can build a resource-bank a la the superb mathematics department blog.
We do have some generic documents available via the pages tabs to the right of the screen and we often embed links to google documents in our posts, so it is worth you looking through these.
Many of our lesson and reference resources are now available within the "Student Resources" folder on your desktop. We are currently looking at ways to make these resources available to you off-site and we may decide to use WordPress to host a sister-site specifically for our teaching and learning resources.
Let us know if you have any ideas about this.
Laura :)
Some of you have been asking me whether we can build a resource-bank a la the superb mathematics department blog.
We do have some generic documents available via the pages tabs to the right of the screen and we often embed links to google documents in our posts, so it is worth you looking through these.
Many of our lesson and reference resources are now available within the "Student Resources" folder on your desktop. We are currently looking at ways to make these resources available to you off-site and we may decide to use WordPress to host a sister-site specifically for our teaching and learning resources.
Let us know if you have any ideas about this.
Laura :)
Tuesday, 5 February 2013
Inspiration from within
This week we are very grateful to Martin Lawlor from our Entry and Foundation faculty at H6FC for the excellent Disability Awareness Workshop which he facilitated.
Our perceptions were challenged and we enjoyed a fun communication activity (discovering JUST how competitive certain people on the second floor are!).
Best of all, we stopped for a while to reflect on how lucky we are to be part of a wholly inclusive learning environment. We were reminded that H6FC is a very special place, where staff are truly committed to enabling students to achieve their full potential, and in which any young person can be sure that their starting point will be no limitation to their success.
For us, the highlight of the workshop was watching one of the fantastic films made by Abdi Omar, a student of Haringey Sixth Form Centre.
Abdi uses a communication device called a "Liberator" so that he can speak. He is currently in the second year of a Level 3 BTEC studying ICT - not a "special" class and not "separate". He is on the regular Level 3 vocational course (equivalent to A levels) and he's doing brilliantly.
Here is one of the inspirational videos by Abdi from his YouTube channel.
Abdi Omar - inspirational speech season 1 episode 2
Laura :)
Our perceptions were challenged and we enjoyed a fun communication activity (discovering JUST how competitive certain people on the second floor are!).
Best of all, we stopped for a while to reflect on how lucky we are to be part of a wholly inclusive learning environment. We were reminded that H6FC is a very special place, where staff are truly committed to enabling students to achieve their full potential, and in which any young person can be sure that their starting point will be no limitation to their success.
For us, the highlight of the workshop was watching one of the fantastic films made by Abdi Omar, a student of Haringey Sixth Form Centre.
Abdi uses a communication device called a "Liberator" so that he can speak. He is currently in the second year of a Level 3 BTEC studying ICT - not a "special" class and not "separate". He is on the regular Level 3 vocational course (equivalent to A levels) and he's doing brilliantly.
Here is one of the inspirational videos by Abdi from his YouTube channel.
Abdi Omar - inspirational speech season 1 episode 2
Laura :)
SURGICAL SKILLS WORKSHOP - CANCELLED
For the attention of all:
The planned trip to the Hunterian Museum to attend a surgical skills workshop hosted by medical students and professional surgeons at the Royal College of Surgeons has been cancelled due to lack of participation.
Wednesday, 23 January 2013
January updates
Hello and a belated Happy New Year to you all!
A few updates:
Laura :)
A few updates:
- Student resources
- Assessment
- COMPETITION
Laura :)
Wednesday, 19 December 2012
Biology Competition
Another competition!
Following on from the success of the "Your body, your consent?" event, we are running another, similar competition.
Again, only five places are available...
and again, the event is being held at The Royal College of Surgeons.
This time the title of the event is Surgical Skills and it is being hosted by professional surgeons.
Through this workshop, you will be able to learn genuine medical skills, such as the suturing of wounds. You will also be able to speak about the pathway into medicine and what the entry interview for medical school consists of.
Competition details to come in the new year, so keep an eye on the blog and notice board!
Laura :)
Following on from the success of the "Your body, your consent?" event, we are running another, similar competition.
Again, only five places are available...
and again, the event is being held at The Royal College of Surgeons.
This time the title of the event is Surgical Skills and it is being hosted by professional surgeons.
Through this workshop, you will be able to learn genuine medical skills, such as the suturing of wounds. You will also be able to speak about the pathway into medicine and what the entry interview for medical school consists of.
Competition details to come in the new year, so keep an eye on the blog and notice board!
Laura :)
Friday, 14 December 2012
Countdown to end of term has begun!
So, what will you all be doing this time next week?
If you are an A level student you will probably be starting to plan your revision for January formal or mock exams. BTEC students will be thinking about a work schedule for improving/completing assignments, or maybe revising for a GCSE exam in the New Year. I'm sure you are all thinking about the shopping/eating/partying/relaxation you are about to enjoy too!
As second or third year students at H6FC will know, this time of year heralds an annual event of startling magnitude in the Biology department -
THE BIG FAT CHRISTMAS QUIZ and associated festive fun!
Join us in the S2 grotto at any point during Thursday morning to take part in games and activities with a festive theme. BIG FAT CHRISTMAS QUIZ at 10.30am.
Laura :)
Festive Liz Climo comic
Wednesday, 12 December 2012
John Hunter and the history of the Hunterian Museum
Hello hello!
As you will recall, 5 lucky students recently took part in a fascinating event called "Your body, your consent?" which looked at ethics in biomedicine.
This event was hosted by the Royal College of Pathologists at the Hunterian Museum.
We have compiled some key information about the history of the Hunterian Museum, which you will find here:
History of the Hunterian museum - by Laura Nicholls
Some issues discussed during the event - by Omario Brown
Issues surrounding organ donation - by Ebru Kupeli
Repatriation of human tissue - by Nada Najafi
Laura :)
As you will recall, 5 lucky students recently took part in a fascinating event called "Your body, your consent?" which looked at ethics in biomedicine.
This event was hosted by the Royal College of Pathologists at the Hunterian Museum.
We have compiled some key information about the history of the Hunterian Museum, which you will find here:
History of the Hunterian museum - by Laura Nicholls
Some issues discussed during the event - by Omario Brown
Issues surrounding organ donation - by Ebru Kupeli
Repatriation of human tissue - by Nada Najafi
Laura :)
Friday, 30 November 2012
World AIDS Day 2012
World AIDS Day: Saturday December 1st 2012
Tomorrow is World AIDS Day. Each year on December the 1st people all around the world unite in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The annual day provides an opportunity for people to show their support for those living with HIV, commemorate those who have died and raise awareness.
2011 saw the highest ever number of people being newly diagnosed with HIV in the UK.
We need to raise awareness and educate others. As biology students you are in a good position to familiarise yourself with the facts and spread the word.
Look at the NAT website for information about HIV:
World AIDS Day
and if you do nothing else in response to this blog post, take this quiz:
Are you HIV aware?
You will notice your teachers wearing red ribbons to mark World AIDS day and you can get one of your own from me.
Laura :)
Tomorrow is World AIDS Day. Each year on December the 1st people all around the world unite in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The annual day provides an opportunity for people to show their support for those living with HIV, commemorate those who have died and raise awareness.
2011 saw the highest ever number of people being newly diagnosed with HIV in the UK.
We need to raise awareness and educate others. As biology students you are in a good position to familiarise yourself with the facts and spread the word.
Look at the NAT website for information about HIV:
World AIDS Day
and if you do nothing else in response to this blog post, take this quiz:
Are you HIV aware?
You will notice your teachers wearing red ribbons to mark World AIDS day and you can get one of your own from me.
Laura :)
"Your body, your consent?" event a success!
Hi all.
Yesterday the five winners of our recent biology competition took part in an event hosted by the Royal College of Pathologists.
The event was titled "Your body, your consent?" and involved discussion with professional pathologists about issues in bioethics. Here are just some of the questions raised:
How should human tissue be treated during medical research?
What are the laws surrounding use of human tissue in research?
Should people be allowed to buy or sell organs for donation?
When and how is a post-mortem carried out?
Should human tissues be put on public display in museums?
You will be able to find out more about the event soon from the 5 students who took part.
Laura :)
Yesterday the five winners of our recent biology competition took part in an event hosted by the Royal College of Pathologists.
The event was titled "Your body, your consent?" and involved discussion with professional pathologists about issues in bioethics. Here are just some of the questions raised:
How should human tissue be treated during medical research?
What are the laws surrounding use of human tissue in research?
Should people be allowed to buy or sell organs for donation?
When and how is a post-mortem carried out?
Should human tissues be put on public display in museums?
You will be able to find out more about the event soon from the 5 students who took part.
Laura :)
Wednesday, 14 November 2012
A presentation on Darwin - by Omario Brown
Hi all,
I am pleased to say that we have managed to recruit another student contributor - Omario Brown.
Omario is a member of the BTEC Extended Diploma (Yr 1) group and has already shown himself to be an extremely talanted young scientist.
Here is the PowerPoint from a presentation Omario recently gave during a tutorial session. He decided to focus on one of his heroes, Charles Darwin.
Charles Darwin
Take a look, it's great.
Laura :)
I am pleased to say that we have managed to recruit another student contributor - Omario Brown.
Omario is a member of the BTEC Extended Diploma (Yr 1) group and has already shown himself to be an extremely talanted young scientist.
Here is the PowerPoint from a presentation Omario recently gave during a tutorial session. He decided to focus on one of his heroes, Charles Darwin.
Charles Darwin
Take a look, it's great.
Laura :)
Monday, 5 November 2012
Unit 13 Assignment 1 - Separation techniques
Hi BTEC Level 3 Yr 2s,
Here is the link to the summary table you need to complete for P2. You also need to copy any practical sheets you have for the TLC you did in chemistry last year.
Separation techniques
Laura :)
Here is the link to the summary table you need to complete for P2. You also need to copy any practical sheets you have for the TLC you did in chemistry last year.
Separation techniques
Laura :)
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