News

Thank you for taking part in the Darwin Tree of Life actvity!

It’s the final day of the Darwin Tree of Life activity! Thank you students for taking part, attending live Chats and engaging with the scientists working on the project! Alex Davey has this to say:   “Fascinating range of questions from the students – from the fundamentals of climate change to our favourite species to career options! I hope we were able to provide some interesting answers.”     Quiz Winner! We had over 200 submissions of the final quiz! The winner was……… Lucy  from Winstanley College 🥳 Congratulations Lucy. Your voucher is on it’s way to you! 🥳    Want to win £20? It’s your final chance to fill out the survey. Remember you could be in with a chance of winning a £20 voucher if you complete!   From everyone at the Darwin Tree of Life activity and I’m a Scientist thank you for taking part. We hope to … Continue reading →

Posted on July 15, 2022 by modhannah in DToL, Update | Tagged | Leave a comment

Darwin Tree of Life was on the news! 📰

Rebecca Morelle, a science editor for the BBC, picked up on the fantastic work being conducted by the scientists as part of the Darwin Tree of Life project.  How fantastic is that! We are delighted that the project is being recognised for its ambition and the ground-breaking research that it is hoping to produce. This project, to sequence over 70,000 species (yes, you heard that right, 70,000!) is ambitious for many reasons.  Not least because the goal is to make history by 2030! 8 years from now. Do you think they can do it? What is the species you would like to see sequenced next? Let us know in the comments. Jamie McGowan, who is part of the Perfect Protists team, has been busy with some pond water.  He is set up in the lab, looking through a microscope at a single drop of water. In this single drop, there … Continue reading →

Posted on June 17, 2022 by in DToL, Update | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Boost your UCAS application with the Darwin Tree of Life activity!

Welcome back to the Darwin Tree of Life activity. To complete the activity you should: Get a deeper understanding of scientific procedures by following species through acquisition, sequencing and annotation. Gain an understanding about the role of a modern scientist by asking the teams about their research, the methods they use or career opportunities! Consolidate your understanding by taking the Quiz! Be in with a chance of winning a £10 voucher! Download your certificate to show your achievement. Live Chat for all students 🌟 Attend the ‘Ask Me Anything’ Chat on the 28 June between 12pm and 1pm 🌟 This is your final opportunity to ask the scientists working on the Darwin Tree of Life a question about their work, the methods they use and what is next for the project.

Posted on June 6, 2022 by modhannah in Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Welcome back to the Darwin Tree of Life activity!

It’s the beginning of the Summer Term and we have lots of exciting updates!  Watch our new video, guiding you through the activity. Choose your favourite species to follow along with and take a look at the species that the experts are following from their profiles. Check out the Scientist of the Week on the Homepage! See which team they are from, what they are working on and ask them a question about anything you like. Update your progress with the activity from your Dashboard Monthly Chat for all Students The theme for the next live Chat is:  🌟 Gel electrophoresis 🌟 Chat with scientists working on the Darwin Tree of Life all about the methods they use in their work and see how this links to the work that you are completing in the classroom. Termly winner The team with the most votes in the Spring term was the Genome … Continue reading →

Posted on April 28, 2022 by modhannah in Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

What can you do before the Easter holidays in Schools @ Darwin Tree of Life?

It’s nearly the Easter holidays! That means it’s your last chance to: Vote for your favourite team this term! The Perfect Protists were our last winner – who will be the next? Take the current quiz to be in with the chance of winning a voucher! Our next Chat for all students is on Tuesday 26 April at 12pm. Experts from the Darwin Tree of Life project will be available to talk all about 🌟 Genomes vs Proteomes 🌟   Find out all about: The difference between genomes and proteomes. The techniques used to extract and sequence genomes and proteomes in the Darwin Tree of Life project How the work of the scientists can link to your work in the classroom! Want to talk to the experts before the live Chat? Ask them a question here >

Posted on March 30, 2022 by modhannah in Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Watch Genome Generator’s Dr Michelle Strickland on Genomics Lite

Genomics Lite gives you further insight into genomics, biodiversity, and evolution from the people involved in the Darwin Tree of Life project. In Session 2, Dr Michelle Strickland, a research and development scientist from Genome Generators, will be discussing sequencing the genomes of old and new samples. Michelle will share how she hopes to improve methods to extract high quality DNA from a range of organisms being studied in the Darwin Tree of Life. Session 2 is on Thursday 24 June, 4.30pm-5.30pm. Reserve your place ❯ Put your questions to the experts and find out more about how genomics research contributes to understanding in the field. This is a great way to broaden your biology knowledge, learn about modern scientific practices, and it might help if you’re undertaking an EPQ. The sessions will run every Thursday until 8 July, with a new topic each week. Students who attend 2 or … Continue reading →

Posted on June 21, 2021 by in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Ask the scientists:

How to use the activity

Watch the video to see what you can do on the Darwin Tree of Life site.