Newsletter – June 2008
Kia ora. Welcome to the June 2008 newsletter for the New Zealand Biotechnology Learning Hub. This month, we have added some brand new resources to help you explore our Honey to heal focus story with your students. These resources include a unit plan and several worksheets with interesting experiments and hands-on activities.
What's new on the Hub?
We have recently updated our Honey to heal focus story. In this focus story, you can find out how Manuka honey can heal wounds. The story also describes how Manuka honey has been made into a wound dressing, with help from some ingenious Kiwis at the University of Waikato and Comvita.
Comvita, a New Zealand company that specialises in the development of natural health products, is now selling Manuka honey wound dressings in New Zealand and overseas. These dressings can even treat wounds infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, also known as super-bugs.
New unit plans
We have several unit plans to help you explore the properties of Manuka honey with upper primary or secondary school students:
From bees to bandages – unit plan
Middle primary – upper primary
Students investigate the antibacterial properties of Manuka honey and use their results to produce a dressing that can be used on a wound to kill any bacteria infecting it.
The properties of honey – unit plan
Upper primary – lower secondary
Students investigate the physical and chemical properties of various honeys to design a way to distinguish Manuka honey from other types of honey.
New teaching activities
We have recently added some practical teaching activities to help you explore the properties of Manuka honey with your students:
Experiment: Antibacterial effects of honey – worksheet
Honey is antibacterial and can prevent growth of most types of bacteria. This experiment compares the effect of different types of honey on bacteria growing on agar plates.
Experiment: Making honey crystals – worksheet
The presence of sugar crystals in honey affects the honey’s texture and palatability. In this experiment, students can investigate how crystals form in honey.
Experiment: The osmotic effect of honey – worksheet
In this experiment, students can demonstrate osmosis using honey and potatoes.
Upcoming events
AWIS Conference – Striking a Balance – event
02 July 2008 – 04 July 2008
The Association of Women in the Sciences (AWIS) conference will be held in Christchurch from 2–4 July
SciCon – Science to Change Our World – event
06 July 2008 - 09 July 2008
A conference for science teachers, which will explore the nature of science education in the 21st century. Registration open now. SciCon 2008 will be held in Te Papa, Wellington.
Rutherford Science Competition 2008 – event
05 June 2008 – 31 October 2008
Essay and poster competitions for all New Zealand school students from years 1–13.
Latest news
Keep up to date with the latest biotechnology news, events and radio broadcasts at: http://www.biotechlearn.org.nz/news
Passionfruit extract helps asthmatics – news
A passionfruit extract researched and developed in New Zealand has significantly reduced the severity of wheezing and coughing among asthma patients taking part in a scientific trial and also helped to reduce their blood pressure.
Bioplastics from waste materials possible – news
Bioplastic made from blood instead of petroleum could be used on farms for seed trays or mulching films, Dr Johan Verbeek from Waikato University says.
We welcome your ideas
Please email us at enquiries@biotechlearn.org.nz if you have any questions about the Hub, or feel free to complete our feedback form online at http://www.biotechlearn.org.nz/site_info/contact_us
Best wishes
Dr Diane Dinnis, Project Manager
New Zealand Biotechnology Learning Hub
URL: www.biotechlearn.org.nz
