D.N.A.

The words 'DeoxyriboNucleic Acid' (DNA) have been imprinted on my brain since Secondary School, along with my Times Tables and the verb endings for the future tense in French! When I was asked to propose a theme for the Residency, I knew I wanted to do something linked to identity but didn't immediately see how I would link this to Science and then out popped that word, DeoxyriboNucleic Acid! Amazing how random bits of knowledge jump to your aid when needed.

There are so many issues surrounding the subject of DNA and the Human Genome that I can tap into visually - the idea of a genetic code, cloning, DNA fingerprinting, Genetic Modification etc. I shall also use DNA as a platform to explore the wider concept of identity in terms of both individual and whole school identity. So to get us started, here's a few fascinating facts about DNA.

If you unwrap all the DNA you have in all your cells, you could reach the moon 6000 times!

Over 99% of our DNA sequence is the same as other humans’.

DNA testing is used to authenticate food like caviar and fine wine.

A DNA fingerprint is a set of DNA markers that is unique for each individual except identical twins.

The website http://www.jeansforgenes.com/ has some good visual resources about DNA which are suitable for students of all ages.

"Science is about finding the answer"

I've been having some really interesting conversations with students this week about how they perceive Science and Art. A Year 9 student suggested that "Science is about finding the answer" which I think is a beautiful summary of what we are all trying to do. I've been showing students various pictures and debating with them whether they were produced as art or science - what do you think of this one?

Year 8's this week have travelled back in time nearly 180 years! We put ourselves in the shoes of Charles Darwin, setting sail on his epic voyage on The Beagle to discover new species of plant and animal life. We imagined that he first came up the River Severn and landed right here at the site of Oldbury Wells (you have to allow me a little artistic licence!). We looked at the types of plant life found around the school and tried to record them in the way that Darwin would have - with botanical drawings. I'll upload some of their drawings soon.

It's interesting that nowadays drawing is often seen as a leisure activity but of course in Darwin's time it would have been the only way to record images - no cameras yet, no mobile phones, no internet to share the images with others. It must have been so exciting when the ship came back to England and people saw all the wonderful 'Endless Forms' which Darwin had found.

Unfortunately the 'Endless Forms' exhibition has now closed but there are still lots of interesting resources and activities on the site - I've put a link to it on the blog. The exhibition looked at how visual artists were inspired by Darwin's findings and I have the book in school if anyone would like to take a look at it.