Why not use a controversial, intriguing or mysterious object to kick start a discussion?
For a lighthearted discussion, the Talk Science team recommends:
- Giant Microbes - from the common cold to the kissing disease and flesh eating bugs, these stuffed animals look like tiny microbes... only a million times the actual size!
- Gas energy saving gadget - energy saver or waste of time?
- Eco Wash Balls - an envriomentally-friendly alternative to washing with detergents.
For a serious and challenging discussion, try showing your students these controversial objects from the museum's collections:
For decades testing on animals has played an important role in medical discoveries. During the 1950s, scientists discovered the strain of obese mice and it helped them learn more about genetic links to obesity. Use this mouse as a starting point for your discussion about scientific discoveries, genetics or animals in medicine.
Find more information about the role of animals in medical discoveries.
In 2000, 61-year old Robert Moss donated his heart to the Science Museum after receiving a donor organ by transplant surgery. Around three thousand heart transplants are carried out worldwide each year. Use this object to kick off your discussion about organ donation and transplants.
Find more information about the ethics of medical practice
This euthanasia machine, developed by Dr Philip Nitschke during the 1990s, was the first and only legal euthanasia machine ever made. Use this object to start off your discussion about euthanasia.