Program Overview

Introduction to the LENScience Connect Senior Biology Seminar Series

The LENScience Connect Senior Biology Seminar Series is a program designed to bring Year 13 students from throughout New Zealand together for regular seminars. These seminars provide learning extension opportunities that link current New Zealand scientific research to concepts in the school curriculum.

Program Details

The seminars are broadcast via both Satellite Television and the High Speed KAREN National Education Network. Web2.0 tools, such as Wiki and live chat, create interactivity between students and scientists, and between students and teachers in participating schools. There is no charge to schools for participating in this award-winning education programme, however, schools must register and agree to the terms and conditions.

Senior Biology Seminar Series Resources

The program offers a range of resources, including:

• GENE EXPRESSION
  • Feast or Famine: Understanding Gene Expression
  • Huntington's Disease: Understanding a Mutation
  • Insight into Blindness: Whanau - Science Partnership for Discovery
  • Human Aneuploidy and Related Biotechnologies
• GENE EXPRESSION AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
  • Breast Cancer and Biotechnology
• ORGANISMS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
  • Magnetic Sense
  • Food for a Hungry World - Optimising Plant Growth
  • Circadian Rhythms: Keeping Time
  • Harnessing Biodiversity
• EVOLUTION
  • Ancient Secrets in the Seaweed
  • Rethinking Polynesian Origins: Human Settlement of the Pacific
• HUMAN EVOLUTION
  • The Evolving Brain: Social Interaction and Complexity
  • Walking Upright: The cost of Human Evolution (2010)
  • Walking Upright: The cost of Human Evolution (2009)
  • Walking Upright: The cost of Human Evolution (2008)

Case Studies

The program has been successfully utilized by several schools, including:

• Wellington High School, where the LENScience Senior Biology Seminars are used in their Scholarship programme.
• Onslow College, where parts of several seminars have been used within regular classes at Level 3 Biology, and the extension/scholarship group makes use of the series on a revolving programme.

Information for Students and Teachers

The LENScience Senior Biology Seminar Series is designed to assist Year 13 Biology students in New Zealand Schools who are aiming at achieving at Merit-Excellence-Scholarship level. The program is open to all New Zealand Schools who are offering NCEA Biology.

Program Highlights

The program highlights include the Pacific Science for Health Literacy Partnership Project and the opportunity to purchase learning resources.