Mobile Teaching Unit
Note: some of the documents on this page are in PDF format. In order to view a PDF you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader
Outreach and public engagement are important parts of the AIMS project. From school visits to postgraduate courses, and through science fairs and the media, we aim to bring the university closer to the wider community. One of the ways in which we are achieving this is with visits from our Mobile Teaching Unit (MTU).
The AIMS and Bristol ChemLabS Mobile Teaching Unit
Overview
The Mobile Teaching Unit provides a great platform for outreach activities: a lorry that expands to turn into a seminar room capable of accommodating groups of 20 students at a time. Inside the MTU, students can engage in hands-on anatomy and physiology demonstrations run by one of two members of University staff from the Anatomy and Physiology and Pharmacology departments. Sessions are tailored to cover various aspects of the science curriculum.
View a short film about the MTU and our outreach activities as featured on 'West Tonight' on YouTube.
Arranging a visit from the Mobile Teaching Unit
To arrange a visit please contact the AIMS administrator (aims-info@bristol.ac.uk). To help you plan your visit, you can find the answers to some frequently asked questions below.
- Mobile Teaching Unit school visits
- Public events and visits to other organisations
- What sessions do you offer for primary schools?
- What sessions do you offer for secondary schools?
- How much does it cost to book the Mobile Teaching Unit?
- How big is the Unit?
- How can I sponsor a Mobile Teaching Unit trip?
Mobile Teaching Unit school visits
The majority of the visits by the Mobile Teaching Unit are to local schools, colleges and other educational organizations. During a day visit we run interactive teaching sessions based on current human anatomy and physiology concepts in the curriculum which are designed to enrich the study of investigative science. Sessions are run throughout the school day, ranging from 30 mins to 1 1/2 hour sessions depending on the age and number of students visiting. The MTU can also visit schools nationally but may need to be booked for multiple days to allow for travelling.
Feedback from recent school visits:
- 'Monday was fantastic. We have had such amazing feedback from pupils, parents and staff. Everyone was really impressed with the day.' - Secondary school teacher
- 'Thank you so much for visiting our school with your lorry. The children really enjoyed the experience and are still talking about it! It linked in really well with the work we already cover in the curriculum as well as giving the topic a boost through the hands-on opportunities it provided.' – Primary school teacher
- 'It has been wonderful to be involved in Science Week. The Year 12 biologists had two great sessions (Lungs and Heart). The level was pitched just right and it was a fantastic revision for them before their AS exams. It also gave them confidence and gave them the opportunity to see a couple of pieces of equipment that we cannot use in school.' – Secondary school teacher
To find out more about previous visits with the MTU please visit the news page
Public events and visits to other organisations
The Mobile Teaching Unit can also be used for public events. The MTU is now a regular feature at the Cheltenham Festival of Science and Science Alive! and can also be hired out for promotional and careers related events.
Hospitals and other institutions may also wish to book the Mobile Teaching Unit for events, specific tailored courses, and for continuing professional development. Please contact us at aims-info@bris.ac.uk to discuss your particular needs, as well as fees and bookings.
What sessions do you offer for primary schools?
Each session in the Mobile Teaching Unit can accommodate up to 20 students and sessions can be run a number of times through the day allowing a large number of students to have the opportunity to visit the Mobile Teaching Unit during the day. The sessions offer a small group interactive teaching environment designed to enrich current topics in the curriculum. The duration of each session can be tailored according to the number of students who will visit the Mobile Teaching Unit during the day.
The Heart
Find out why we need a heart, what it does and how we can keep it healthy. A chance for students to listen to how their heart beats and record the electrical activity of the heart using an ECG machine. A 40 minute hands-on session aimed at Years 5/6.
The Heart workshop inside the MTU
What is inside my body?
Investigate what is under the skin as students explore the skeleton, brain and heart, and how to stay healthy. A 30 minute hands-on session for younger primary school students aimed at giving them the opportunity to hear their own heart beat, investigate a skeleton and find out how the brain works.
Primary school sample timetable
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 08.00 - 09.00 | Arrive at school. Meet staff. Set up MTU. |
| 09.00 - 09.40 | Session 1: 20 students – The Heart. Year 6 |
| 09.45 - 10.25 | Session 2: 20 students – The Heart. Year 6 |
| 10.30 - 10.50 | Break |
| 11.00 - 11.40 | Session 3: 20 students – The Heart. Year 5 |
| 11.45 - 12.25 | Session 4: 20 students – The Heart. Year 5 |
| 12.30 - 13.00 | Session 5: 20 students – What is Inside my Body? Year 4 |
| 13.00 - 14.00 | Lunch |
| 14.00 - 14.30 | Session 6: 20 students – What is Inside my Body? Year 4 |
| 14.30 - 15.00 | Session 7: 20 students – What is Inside my Body? Year 3 |
| 15.00 - 15.30 | Session 8: 20 students – What is Inside my Body? Year 3 |
| 15.30 - 16.00 | MTU set down. Leave school. |
What sessions do you offer for secondary schools?
Each session in the Mobile Teaching Unit can accommodate up to 20 students and sessions can be run a number of times through the day allowing a large number of students to have the opportunity to visit the Mobile Teaching Unit during the day. The sessions offer a small group interactive teaching environment designed to enrich current topics in the curriculum. The duration of each session can be tailored according to the number of students who will visit the Mobile Teaching Unit during the day.
Dr Lauren Hughes demonstrates the electrical activity of the heart using an ECG trace
The anatomy and physiology of the heart
Explore the inner workings of the heart, students have the opportunity to feel their own pulses and hear their heart beat, as well as finding out how physiologists can record the electrical activity of the heart. A one hour hands-on session with images, models and clinical equipment including an ECG machine with students being able to take away recordings for further analysis. Suitable for Years 10 - 13.
'A'-level student investigates the size of their lungs using a vitalograph
The anatomy and physiology of the lungs
Discover how important the lungs are in gas exchange, how they are adapted to do this efficiently and can ultimately be compromised in disease. A one hour hands-on session with images, models and clinical equipment designed to record lung function. This session includes experimental design and hypothesis formation, allowing all students to participate in collecting physiological data for subsequent analysis. Suitable for Years 7 - 13.
Beating and breathing
How do the heart and lungs work together to transport gases around the body? This one hour session combines elements of the Cardiovascular and Respiratory sessions and is suitable for applied and general science courses. Suitable for Years 10 - 13.
The anatomy and physiology of the nervous system
This 1-hour session introduces students to the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system. Students will learn about the electrical conduction properties of nerves, how neurotransmitters cross synapses and subsequently cause muscles to contract. The theory is put in to practice with a truly hands on experiment as pupils will have the opportunity to use a stimulating electrode to produce contractions of the hand muscles. The speed at which nerve impulses travel can be calculated and the effects of prescription, non-prescription drugs and diseases of the nervous system are all discussed. Suitable for Years 10 - 13.
Secondary school sample timetable
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 08.00 - 09.00 | Arrive at school. Meet staff. Set up MTU. |
| 09.00 - 10.00 | Session 1: 20 students – The anatomy and physiology of the heart |
| 10.00 - 11.00 | Session 2: 20 students - The anatomy and physiology of the heart |
| 11.00 - 11.15 | Break |
| 11.15 - 12.15 | Session 3: 20 students - Beating and breathing |
| 12.15 - 13.15 | Session 4: 20 students - The anatomy and physiology of the lungs |
| 13.15 - 14.00 | Lunch |
| 14.00 - 15.00 | Session 5: 20 students - The anatomy and physiology of the lungs |
| 15.00 - 15.30 | MTU set down. Leave school. |
How much does it cost to book the Mobile Teaching Unit?
Costs to bring the Mobile Teaching Unit to your school or organisation are variable depending on your requirements and geographical location and we will be happy to discuss these with you on application. Help with the cost of a visit is sometimes available including bursaries from the University of Bristol Widening Participation Office. We can provide further information about this on request.
Please contact us (aims-info@bris.ac.uk) to discuss your interests and requirements and to book a visit from the Mobile Teaching Unit.
How big is the unit?
The Mobile Teaching Unit is approximately 11.5m long x 5.5m wide x 4m high when fully 'expanded'. Prior to booking, please ensure that there is sufficient space (including vertical space) for some manoeuvring. A level surface is also needed when the vehicle is parked. The Unit has its own generator therefore it doesn't require any mains electrical connection.
How can I sponsor a Mobile Teaching unit trip?
Interested in sponsoring a Mobile Teaching Unit school visit?
Benefits of sponsorship include:
- Your logo on the Mobile Teaching Unit for the duration of the trip
- Branding of talks and presentations
- Permanent recognition of sponsorship displayed on the AIMS website and inside the Unit
Please contact us (aims-info@bristol.ac.uk) to discuss your interests and requirements.
The MTU is generously sponsored by The Physiological Society and AD Instruments
Downloads
- Mobile Teaching Unit leaflet (pdf 4.2 Mb)
- Curriculum Links for Mobile Teaching Unit sessions (pdf 107.2 Kb)