Lessons and classroom resources

veski has developed a number of lessons to be used in Victorian secondary schools. These include videos featuring veski innovation fellows and other members of the veski connection.

lesson 1: when I grow up

This video provides a basis for a classroom discussion about a career in science. It explores what inspired three leading scientists in their journey into science. They talk about their interest in science related topics as children, and how their studies and careers choices have led to this point.

categories: careers in science, science study, global collaboration

lesson 2: global collaborations and research

In this video, we hear from three leading scientists about their global research projects. It features Professor Kai Wucherpfennig from Harvard University, and Drs Melissa and Mathew Call from Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, who both trained in Kai’s lab. Global collaborations is about what these three scientists have studied, what areas they focus on and their opinion on the future of science. 

categories: Immune system, T Cells, research, cell membrane

lesson 3: the immune system

In this video, Professor Kai Wucherpfennig explores the biology of T cells and their central role in many human diseases, including autoimmune diseases and cancer. 

categories: proteins, T Cells, immune response, receptors, immunity, diseases, lymphocytes

lesson 4: flow cytometry experiment

In this video, Dr Melissa Call, a Laboratory Head within the Structural Biology division at the Walter & Eliza Hall Institute, undertakes an experiment to test the function of a MARCH9 Protein in her lab. Melissa introduces the MARCH9 protein and a mutant into a petri dish of cells to see how those mutations effect the function of the cells.     

categories: DNA, Years 10 to 12, Experimentation, Biology, Cell

lesson 5: bionanotechnology

In this video, Professor Tiffany Walsh from the Institute of Frontier Materials discusses the concept of Bionanotechnology, a fusion of two scientific disciplines biology and nanotechnology. Professor Walsh also explains what supercomputing is, and how her team uses it to analyse the structure and function of molecules. Applications in the real world are also mentioned. 

categories: supercomputing, nanotechnology, biology, molecules 

lesson 6: computer simulation

In this video Dr Aaron School from Deakin University discusses the concept of computer simulation, and how scientists use it to gain a greater understanding of the shape and function of nature’s molecules. He discusses how exploring natural materials could lead to greater discoveries.

categories: Computer simulation, helix, molecules, nature

lesson 7: enzymes

In this video Dr Ethan Goddard-Borger from the Chemical Biology division of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research discusses the concept of enzymes, proteins and biochemistry.

categories: proteins, enzymes, biochemistry, body tissues, Years 10 to 12

lesson 8: dengue

In this video, Professor Cameron Simmons talks about the dengue virus, its symptoms and touches on replication of the virus in the cells of the human body. 

categories: Dengue Virus, cell replication, disease spread

lesson 9: mosquito lifecycles

In this video, Professor Cameron Simmons talks about the lifecycle of the mosquito and its importance to controlling mosquito related illnesses.

categories: Mosquito lifecycle, disease prevention, biology

lesson 10: wolbachia

In this video, Professor Cameron Simmons talks about the bacterium Wolbachia and the prevention of the mosquito spread virus dengue. Professor Simmmons introduces the Wolbachia strain and talks about how it works in Dengue prevention, the areas it’s used in and the future of dengue prevention. 

categories: Bacteria, Wolbachia. Mosquitos