The science taster sessions are aimed at students studying A-level Biology/Human Biology, Sports Science, PE, and BTEC ND courses in Health Studies, Sports Science or similar. These interactive sessions are designed to consolidate, develop and broaden the student’s knowledge of these topics.
The Science tasters are linked to the A-level/BTEC curriculum and delivered in such a way as to give students a taster of university-style teaching. Likewise they can also provide an effective revision ‘master class’.
The sessions draw upon the expertise of subject specialists who teach in the School of Science, Technology and Health, and the well equipped new science laboratories at the Ipswich Campus. A variety of both theoretical and practical sessions is offered, and in all cases can be tailored to meet the needs of the student group and teacher.
All Tasters can be booked by email on schoolsliaisonucs.ac.uk|. Alternatively, telephone Rachael Miller on 01473 338759. Some tasters have suggested dates, but most can be organised for dates and times to suit the group.
The Biological Basis of Cancer|
Body Composition Assessment|
Cardiac Function during Physical Activity|
Drugs Used in the Control and Treatment of Disease|
Health and Wellbeing: Is Healthy Drinking Possible?|
The Human Body in Action|
Human Health and the Environment|
The Role of the Operating Department Practitioner|
Radiography: Diagnostic Imaging & Radiotherapy and Oncology|
Science and Nutrition: Healthy Eating Made Simple|
Science and Nutrition: Promoting Health, Preventing Disease|
Tasty DNA|
The Biological Basis of Cancer
This taster session will be centred on the main characteristics of tumours and tumour cells and the distinction between benign and malignant tumours. Consideration will be given to the following aspects:
• Genes and the part they play in the control of normal cell growth
• Chemical carcinogens and radiation may damage DNA and cause mutations in the genes controlling growth
• Tumour cells fail to respond to normal growth regulating processes; they undergo metastasis and invade other organs
• The role of tumour suppressor genes in preventing tumour growth.
UCS Contact: Robert Ellis, robert.ellisucs.ac.uk|
Maximum number of students: 15
Venue: UCS Ipswich
Length of session: 2 hours
Year Group: 12/13
Body Composition Assessment*
Assessing % body fat and muscle mass using skin fold measurement and bioelectrical impedance analysis.
UCS Contact: Kevin Charlton, k.charltonucs.ac.uk|
Venue: UCS Ipswich, Human Physiology Laboratory
Maximum number of students: 10
Length of session: 2 hours
Year Group: 12
* A small charge will apply to this event to cover materials
Cardiac Function during Physical Activity*
Heart rate and blood pressure monitoring during aerobic and anaerobic exercise. Using short range telemetry, sphygmomanometry, cycle and treadmill ergometry.
UCS Contact: Kevin Charlton, k.charltonucs.ac.uk|
Venue: UCS Ipswich, Human Physiology Laboratory
Maximum number of students: 10
Length of session: 2 hours
Year Group: 12
* A small charge will apply to this event to cover materials
Drugs Used in the Control and Treatment of Disease
A two hour taster session that will offer an introduction to ‘Beta blockers’ as drugs which can be used to reduce hypertension, antibiotics, DNA replication and protein synthesis, the importance of the cell wall in preventing osmoticlysis, bacteriostatic and bactericidal antibiotics and their effect on bacterial populations and the use of monoclonal antibodies.
UCS Contact: Robert Ellis, robert.ellisucs.ac.uk|
Venue: UCS Ipswich
Maximum number of students: 15
Length of session: 2 hours
Year Group: 12/13
Health and Wellbeing: Is Healthy Drinking Possible?
An interactive workshop where students will be encouraged to discuss whether it is possible to educate young people to drink in a responsible way, or if the legal age of drinking should be changed to 21 years, as in the USA. The session will introduce key concepts of health and wellbeing; and the degree and possible careers within the area of health and wellbeing.
UCS Contact: Michael Kelleher, m.kelleherucs.ac.uk|
Venue: UCS Ipswich
Maximum number of students: 30
Length of session: 2hrs
Year Group: 12/13
The Human Body in Action
A variety of two hour interactive master classes centred on themes in human physiology are offered, including:
• The heart, blood and circulation
• The lungs and gas exchange
• Food, digestion and absorption
• Muscles and muscle contraction
One theme will be covered in a two hour session - please discuss requirements in advance.
UCS Contact: Richard Farrar, r.farrarucs.ac.uk|
Venue: UCS Ipswich
Maximum number of students: 15
Length of session: 2 hours
Year Group: 12/13
Human Health and the Environment
Human impact on the environment is having significant consequences for the health of the human population. This two hour interactive session examines the ways in which human health has been compromised due to issues such as climate change, pollution and over-exploitation of resources, and encourages students to discuss possible solutions to ameliorate the problems.
UCS Contact: Richard Farrar, r.farrarucs.ac.uk|
Venue: UCS Ipswich
Maximum number of students: 30
Length of session: 2 hours
Year Group: 12/13
The journey through the Operating Theatre and the role of the Operating Department Practitioner
This session explores the patient journey from the ward to the operating theatre and discusses how the ODP delivers care to that patient throughout this period.
UCS Contact: Hannah Abbott, h.abbottucs.ac.uk|
Venue: UCS Ipswich
Maximum number of students: 45 (minimum: 10)
Length of session: 90mins
Year Group: 10-13
Radiography: Diagnostic Imaging & Radiotherapy and Oncology
What is Diagnostic Imaging? What is Oncology and Radiotherapy Technology? Come and find out about careers in this area, including image interpretation, 3D immersive environments and the Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy Training.
UCS Contact: Mark Hulse, m.hulseucs.ac.uk|, Alison Wright, a.wrightucs.ac.uk|
Venue: UCS Ipswich
Number of students: 15-25
Length of session: 2 hours
Year Group: 10-13
Science and Nutrition: Healthy Eating Made Simple
Theory session: Healthy eating in relation to different nutrients.
UCS Contact: Dr Michelle Hawkins, m.hawkins2ucs.ac.uk|
Venue: UCS Ipswich
Maximum number of students: 40
Length of session: 2 hours
Year Group: 12/13
Science and Nutrition: Promoting Health, Preventing Disease
Theory session: Nutrients and their impact on promoting health and preventing specific diseases.
UCS Contact: Dr Michelle Hawkins, m.hawkins2ucs.ac.uk|
Venue: UCS Ipswich
Maximum number of students: 40
Length of session: 2 hours
Year Group: 12/13
Tasty DNA
In pairs, students will make a sweet model of DNA. This will allow students to learn how the nucleotides are formed and how it all fits together. The models will then be used to show replication, splicing and other functions involving the DNA double helix.
UCS Contact: Gavin Devereux, g.devereuxucs.ac.uk|
Venue: UCS Ipswich
Maximum number of students: 20
Length of session: 2 hours
Year Group: 12/13
All Tasters can be booked by email on schoolsliaisonucs.ac.uk|. Alternatively, telephone Rachael Miller on 01473 338759.