Educational Resources
At Moredun, we believe that it is vitally important that children are actively encouraged to get involved in science.
Our Education Group bring our interactive exhibitions to life as part of Edinburgh’s International Science Festival, which takes place in April each year. Look out for our listing in the Festival Programme!
We also run other activities throughout the year so please do look out for these in our events section.
Moredun’s educational resources are suitable for a broad range of ages and abilities. With simple core messages and extension ideas, there is plenty of scope for the topics to be easily simplified or expanded upon if necessary.
Further information on each of our exhibitions can be found below.
Scotland’s red squirrels are under threat. Why are our native squirrels struggling whilst the greys are thriving? Find out what can be done to help save our red squirrels.
This topic introduces children to the differences between the red and grey squirrels and explains why the population of red squirrels is decreasing. Is one type of squirrel better adapted to survive? Does habitat and diet choice have an effect? Or does disease play a part? Explore the answers to these questions and discover the impact non-native species can have on our wildlife.
Tale of Two Squirrels is a great introduction to biodiversity.
Curriculum links
Tale of Two Squirrels links with the following areas of learning:
Science Experience and Outcomes
- Body systems and cells
- Topical science
Also:
- Expressive Arts
- Literacy and English
- Social Studies: People, place and environment
Resources
Posters:
Tale of Two Squirrels – Red vs Grey
Tale of Two Squirrels – How vaccination began
Tale of Two Squirrels – Poxviruses and the diseases they cause
Tale of Two Squirrels – Squirrelpox timeline
Tale of Two Squirrels – Squirrelpox virus in our red squirrels
Activity sheets:
Tale of Two Squirrels – Furry Facts and Quiz
Tale of Two Squirrels – Leaf maze
Tale of Two Squirrels – Red squirrels sightings map
Bacteria, virus or parasite? Disease can be caused by a variety of different things. Featuring Buttercup the calf, discover how the cause of an illness can be identified and why catching the culprit is so important in order to provide effective treatment.
Using pneumonia as an example, Disease Detectives explains how disease can be caused by a variety of pathogens, how the correct cause can be identified and how this affects the best course of treatment.
This topic is an excellent introduction to microorganisms, how they differ from one another and how they can cause disease.
Curriculum links
Disease Detectives links with the following areas of learning:
Science Experience and Outcomes:
- Body systems and cells
- Biodiversity and interdependence
- Inheritance
Also:
- Health & Wellbeing
- Expressive Arts
- Literacy and English
Resources
Posters:
Disease Detectives – Victor the Virus
Disease Detectives – Pandora the Parasite
Disease Detectives – Boris the Bacterium
Disease Detectives – Biodiversity
Activity sheets:
Disease Detectives – Colouring in
Disease Detectives – Make a detective hat activity
Why are parasites that live in the gut such a problem? Using livestock as an example this topic highlights the trouble with gut parasites and the work that is being done to minimise their effect on animal health and welfare.
This topic is a great introduction to life cycles and parasites. It goes on to explain how parasites survive and multiply, and how animals can become infected and what that means for them.
Curriculum links
War of the Worms links with the following areas of learning:
Science Experience and Outcomes:
- Body systems and cells
- Biodiversity and interdependence
- Inheritance
Also:
- Social Studies: People, place and environment
- Literacy and English
- Expressive Arts
Resources
Posters:
War of the Worms – What is a parasite
War of the Worms – Where worms live
War of the Worms – Why does a sheep have four stomachs
War of the Worms – How scientists find worm eggs
War of the Worms – Roddy the Roundworm
War of the Worms – Tina the Tapeworm
War of the Worms – Vincent the Vampire worm
Activity sheets:
War of the Worms – Complete the life cycle – Roddy (blank)
War of the Worms – Complete the life cycle – Roddy (cut outs)
War of the Worms – Complete the life cycle – Roddy (with answers)
War of the Worms – Complete the life cycle – Tina (blank)
War of the Worms – Complete the life cycle – Tina (cut outs)
War of the Worms – Complete the life cycle – Tina (with answers)
Some tiny bugs and beasties live within us. How do they get there, what problems do they cause and how can we avoid those that do us harm? Using toxoplasma parasites as an example this topic introduces these sneaky characters who have a clever way of ensuring their survival.
Toxoplasma parasites have successfully evolved to live within all warm blooded animals including humans. The Beasts Within Us helps to raise awareness of this parasite and gives advice to help people protect themselves from infection.
This topic is a fantastic example of how disease can spread between animals and humans and how simple hygiene and food safety methods can help protect us from disease.
Curriculum links
The Beasts Within Us links with the following areas of learning:
Science Experience and Outcomes:
- Body systems and cells
- Biodiversity and interdependence
- Inheritance
Also:
- Health & Wellbeing
- Expressive Arts
- Literacy and English
Resources
Posters:
The Beasts within Us – General toxo introduction
The Beasts within Us – Brave new mouse
The Beasts within Us – Evolution and adaptation
The Beasts within Us – Prevention of toxo infection
Activity sheets:
The Beasts within Us – Factoids
The Beasts within Us – Play your toxo cards right (playing cards)
Why do sheep get sick? Discover what makes sheep poorly and why this is a problem – not only for the sheep but for farmers and the public too. What role does vaccination and treatment have in helping to keep sheep happy and healthy?
Although based on sheep the key elements about disease are easily transferable. Similar methods can be used to learn about diseases of other animals or even humans, whilst the topic can be used to open up discussions about vaccination or food production.
Healthy Sheep are Happy Sheep is a great introduction to health and well-being.
Curriculum links
Healthy Sheep are Happy Sheep links with the following areas of learning:
Science Experience and Outcomes:
- Body systems and cells
- Topical science
Also:
- Health & wellbeing
- Social Studies: People, place and environment
- Literacy and English
- Expressive Arts
Resources
Posters:
Healthy Sheep are Happy Sheep – Understanding sizes
Healthy Sheep are Happy Sheep – What Moredun does
Healthy Sheep are Happy Sheep – Why is livestock health important
Activity sheets:
Healthy Sheep are Happy Sheep – Things that make sheep sick (blank)