Biotechnology is a high profile, contemporary area of science which pupils find interesting due to the impact it has on their everyday lives. ASE has collaborated with the National Centre for Biotechnology Education (NCBE) and Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) to provide a simple and inexpensive protein electrophoresis kit to compare proteins in different KS3 contexts. Cost, perceived complexity and lack of relevance to KS3 curriculum have been cited as reasons for the lack of practical biotechnology work at KS3. This resource is designed to overcome these difficulties:

• cost of the resource for class use has been kept to a minimum
• electrophoresis is presented to younger pupils as a simple separating technique
• multicultural, health, conservation and dietary contexts appeal to pupils and are relevant to the KS3 curriculum

Two stimulating activities are provided for pupils to explore protein electrophoresis.

Proteins in seeds: A multicultural context - are there different proteins in different seeds such as lentils in dahl and wheat? A health context - are there proteins in particular seeds which may cause allergies?

Proteins in fish: A conservation context - cod is now a very rare fish, do fish fingers really contain cod? Is a crabstick really crab? (Most are soya) A health context - do crabsticks contain shellfish proteins, which some people are allergic to? A dietary context - what does our body use protein for?

The NCBE is managing the design, production and distribution of the resource.

Full order details for the kit, which includes all materials to get started and how to source replacement consumables, is available on their website.

Pupil, teacher and technician resource sheets can be downloaded here. Additional information and updates can be found on the NCBE and SAPS websites:

www.ncbe.reading.ac.uk
www-saps.plantsci.cam.ac.uk

	PUPIL PLANTS
	PUPIL FISH
	TEACHER AND TECHNICIAN