Dr Christine Shirras

Teaching Fellow

School Outreach Activities

Several school outreach activities have been organised using funding awarded by: Lancaster University Friends Programme; The Royal Society and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).

DNA technology workshops
(2007) Key stage 3

The aim of these workshops was to consolidate DNA teaching at Key stage 3, give hands-on practical experience (DNA electrophoresis), and to discuss the ethics of genetic manipulation. Funding for these workshops was kindly provided by Lancaster University Friends Programme.

Minibeasts, Plants and the Environment workshops
(2004-6) Key Stage 2.

During these workshops local primary school children came to Lancaster University to investigate a range of invertebrates, construct food webs, dissect flowers, discuss flowering plant reproduction and investigate effects of pesticides and insecticides on food webs. Funding for these events (over three years) was kindly provided by BBSRC.

DNA and Genomes : what have fruit flies ever done for us?
(2004) Key stage 3.

A series of themed activities were provided to students at Morecambe High School to aid understanding of genetics, DNA structure and new DNA technologies. Funding for this event was kindly provided by The Royal Society.

Science of the Environment School Workshops
(2003-4) Key stages 1-2.

Workshops were taken to local primary schools where children had the opportunity for hands-on activities concerned with invertebrate classification, food webs and flowering plants. Funding was kindly provided by Lancaster University Friends Programme.