Public Engagement Lending Library Boxes

A list of the current PE Lending Library boxes, with a brief description of the activity, its themes, and target audience.

All of the boxes in the Public Engagement Lending Library have been developed by the Roslin Institute Public Engagement team, in collaboration with staff and students at the University of Edinburgh.

Alien Babies

Box: ROS/GG/03

Theme: Inheritance

Audience: Primary/Secondary

Description: Participants will learn about single gene inheritance by determining the alleles inherited by an alien baby. Individuals are given a table which either shows the dominant and recessive alleles of the parent aliens (secondary), or pictures of the characteristics (primary). They will then flip a coin to reveal which allele/characteristic the baby has inherited. Once they have all the baby’s characteristics the alien baby can be made from the spare part boxes.

Developed with the support of Barbara Shih (PhD Student, now Postdoc).

Downloads:

Alien Babies Inventory (472.49 KB / PDF)

Alien Babies Risk Assessment (784.4 KB / PDF)

Alien Babies Body Cards & Spare Parts (688.43 KB / PDF)

Alien Babies Primary Worksheet (485.21 KB / PDF)

Alien Babies Secondary Worksheet (596.43 KB / PDF)

Alien Babies Researcher Guidance (611.1 KB / PDF)

DNA Detectives

Box: ROS/GG/01

Theme: Gene Sequencing, Identifying Disease

Audience: Family

Description: Individuals will learn about genome sequencing and assembly. These concepts will be used to identify DNA from your gut that could cause illness. Participants will assemble DNA by overlapping matching coloured beads on different fragments with the final sequence matching Astrovirus, Salmonella, or a gut cell. After correct assembly of the DNA and identification of the DNA source, there are fun facts, basic laboratory materials and further information in the corresponding box.

Developed with the support of Clare Gormley (Masters Student: Science Communication) and Subhashini Dharmapalan (employ.ed Summer Intern).

Downloads:

DNA Detectives Inventory (461.64 KB / PDF)

DNA Detectives Risk Assessment (786.29 KB / PDF)

DNA Detectives Demonstrators Notes (463.84 KB / PDF)

DNA Detectives Researcher Dialogue (318.87 KB / PDF)

EpiFarm

Box: ROS/II/02

Theme: Epidemiology, Computer Modelling, Scientific Method

Audience: Late Primary/Early Secondary

Description: Participants will be introduced to the field of epidemiology in farming through an animated game hosted on the Scratch platform. Participants will act as the epidemiologist who has been asked by a farmer to analyse the spread of an epidemic among the chickens on the farm. This workshop is designed for classroom use, but can be turned into a tabletop activity without the presentation.

Developed with the support of Scott Dillon (PhD Student: PIPS Placement), and Debby Lipschutz-Powell (PostDoc: Global Academy).

Downloads:

EpiFarm Inventory (266.13 KB / PDF)

EpiFarm Teacher Information (280.93 KB / PDF)

EpiFarm Researcher Guidance (311.22 KB / PDF)

EpiFarm Risk Assessment (579.45 KB / PDF)

EpiFarm Example Dataset (21.19 KB / XLSX)

EpiFarm Primary School Worksheets (243.76 KB / PDF)

EpiFarm Secondary School Worksheets (235.04 KB / PDF)

EpiFarm Primary Presentation (2.76 MB / PPTX)

EpiFarm Secondary Presentation (3.56 MB / PPTX)

Flu Lab

Box: ROS/II/01

Theme: Viruses, Disease Spread & Prevention, Lab Skills

Audience: Secondary (with provisions for late primary)

Description: Bird Flu is a constant risk in the UK. As it is highly contagious and can be fatal, rapid identification of infected animals is very important. During the practical, participants will be taught to use micropipettes and other basic lab equipment in order to carry out a mock diagnostic test for bird flu. Once the practical is complete there are laminated sheets to aid a discussion with participants about flu in birds or humans, and about disease epidemics.

Developed with the support of Zoe Sudderick (EBSOC Assistant)

Downloads:

Flu Lab Inventory (532.64 KB / PDF)

Flu Lab Risk Assessment (825.41 KB / PDF)

Flu Lab Workshop Description (832.32 KB / PDF)

Flu Lab Technical Notes (969.21 KB / PDF)

Flu Lab Researcher Guide (1.33 MB / PDF)

Opening a Can of Worms

Box: ROS/DB/01

Theme: Animal Welfare, Scientific Method

Audience: Primary/Secondary

Description: Participants will be using simple experiments with earthworms to learn about the scientific method. Using the pupil workbook for guidance, individuals or groups will think of their own question and plan their own investigation. Participants will need to use the 3R’s and carefully consider the welfare of their worms before starting their experiment. Animal welfare is the major theme of this practical and the pupil book contains examples of animal welfare research at Roslin.

Developed with the support of Zoe Sudderick (EBSOC Assistant)

Downloads:

Opening a Can of Worms Inventory (467.66 KB / PDF)

Opening a Can of Worms Risk Assessment (801.42 KB / PDF)

Opening a Can of Worms Class Presentation (6.52 MB / PPTX)

Opening a Can of Worms Teacher Guide (571.16 KB / PDF)

Opening a Can of Worms Pupil Booklet (1.05 MB / PDF)

Opening a Can of Worms Researcher Guidance (1.07 MB / PDF)

Pipetting Pointillism

Box: ROS/ALL/01

Theme: Lab Skills

Audience: All

Description: Micropipetting is one of the most common techniques in a biological science laboratory, allowing us to transfer small and precise volumes of liquid. Older participants will learn to use laboratory micropipettes by practicing with different volumes, then will use their new skill to create a pointillism style picture with paint. Younger participants will use fixed volume pipettes to create their own pointillism picture. While participants are pipetting you have an opportunity to talk about your own science.

Developed with the support of Marie Poirot (Masters Student: Science Communication).

Downloads:

Pipetting Pointillism Inventory (485.08 KB / PDF)

Pipetting Pointillism Risk Assessment (784.85 KB / PDF)

Pipetting Pointillism Demonstrators Notes (586.45 KB / PDF)

Science Skills: Microscopy in a Box

Box: ROS/ALL/03

Theme: Observing, recording, microscopy, cells, animals, bacteria, cell structure

Audience: All

Description: Participants will use research-grade light microscopes to look at real slides. They are encouraged to observe and draw what they see, with written clues they should be able to deduce what is on each microscope. Each slide demonstrated different areas of research and the clinical work happening on the Easter Bush Campus. This activity could be adapted with slides that show your own research in more detail.

Developed with the support Bob Flemming and Heather McCormack

Downloads:

Science Skills Microscope in a Box Inventory (199.82 KB / PDF)

Risk Assessment Science Skills Microscope in a Box (266.19 KB / DOCX)

Science Skills Microscope in a Box Researcher Guide (534.22 KB / PDF)

Recording Worksheet (527.32 KB / PDF)

See DNA

Box: ROS/GG/02

Theme: DNA, Basic Cell Structure

Audience: All

Description: Participants will use simple equipment and ingredients to extract DNA from strawberries. Individuals will then explore ideas of DNA and inheritance as well as the basic structure of the cell. Depending on the age/level of participants this can be linked to genotyping, sequencing, and current real-life research.

Developed with the support of Chris Proudfoot (PostDoc, Roslin Institute), Gerry McLachlan (Group Leader, Roslin Institute), and Scott Dillon (PhD Student: PIPS Placement).

Downloads:

See DNA Inventory (479.51 KB / PDF)

See DNA Risk Assessment (796.07 KB / PDF)

See DNA Researcher Guidance (568.73 KB / PDF)

See DNA Teacher Information (564.03 KB / PDF)

Sheep Tales

Box: ROS/ALL/02

Theme: Gel Electrophoresis, PCR, Lab Skills

Audience: Late Secondary

Description: Gel electrophoresis is a very valuable technique in biological science. Participants will learn how to carry out the separation of DNA fragments by loading and running their own gel, then using a non-toxic DNA stain. The accompanying presentation and teachers guide prompts individuals to think about single gene inheritance, mutations, and a little bit of welfare/production traits in farm animals.

Developed with the support of Zoe Sudderick (EBSOC Assisstant).

Downloads:

Sheep Tales Risk Assessment (722.58 KB / PDF)

PCR Paper Activity - UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres (12.39 KB / PDF)

Sheep Tales Class Presentation (8.1 MB / PPTX)

Sheep Tales Pupil Worksheet (505.13 KB / PDF)

Sheep Tales Teacher Worksheet (574.58 KB / PDF)

Do you want to work with animals?

Box: VET/01

Please note this box is split into two parts: Box 1/2 and box 2/2.

Theme: Different pathways towards a career working with animals, The role of the veterinary profession, The concept of animal welfare, The 5 animal welfare needs, Common welfare issues in UK pet species.

Audience: P4, P5, P6, P7

Description: During this workshop participants will learn about the many different pathways towards a career working with animals, with an emphasis upon the role of the veterinarian and the veterinary profession. We will explain the concept of animal welfare and will discuss the responsibilities of both vets and pet owners to act as ambassadors of good animal welfare. We will discuss the five animal welfare needs (legislation the UK government has issued which states that it is the responsibility of all animal owners to meet the basic welfare needs of animals in their care) and their relevance to pets, owners and vets. Through interactive activities, we will apply the five animal welfare needs to real life scenarios. These activities will not only reinforce the students’ understanding of animal welfare, but will also educate tomorrow’s pet owners about common, yet preventable, animal welfare issues in companion animal species.

Developed by Ellie Girgis (Vet Undergraduate)

Downloads:

Do you want to work with animals risk assessment (402.87 KB / PDF)

Do you want to work with animals demonstrator notes (707.93 KB / PDF)

Do you want to work with animals teacher information (605.63 KB / PDF)

Do you want to work with animals teacher evaluation (510.35 KB / PDF)

Do you want to work with animals content (3.78 MB / PDF)

Do you want to work with animals presentation (2.75 MB / PDF)

HostBusters

Box: ROS/II/03

Theme: Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, Food Security

Audience: Secondary: S1-3

Description: Participants will learn how bacteria spread and infect humans and animals. Using UV torches and an interactive game, we will take your pupils on a journey through our science. By the end of the workshop they will understand why some bacteria are better at infecting than others. The concept of pathogenicity and virulence factors will be introduced using a comic strip and game.

Developed by Joana Alves (Post-Doc) and Emily Parr (PhD student) in Ross Fitzgerald's group.

Downloads:

HostBusters Teacher Information (534.78 KB / PDF)

HostBusters Researcher Guidance (194.67 KB / PDF)

HostBusters Risk Assessment (268.85 KB / DOCX)

Colourful Chromosomes

Box: ROS/ALL/04

Theme: Inheritance: DNA, genotypes, phenotyoes

Audience: Primary P4-P7

Description: In this activity, participants will learn about genes control body systems, and how different genes control your appearance (genotype controls phenotype).

Developed with the support of Danny Schnitzler (EastBio PIPS PhD Student).

Downloads:

Colourful Chromosomes activity sheet (545.56 KB / PDF)

Colourful Chromosomes box content (1.03 MB / PDF)

Colourful Chromosomes researcher guidance (795.96 KB / PDF)

Colourful Chromosomes risk assessment (821.5 KB / PDF)

Colourful Chromosomes teacher evaluation (509.76 KB / PDF)

Colourful Chromosomes teacher information (669.92 KB / PDF)