Back to the Grind Stone....

Well, much as I hate to say "I told me so", my worst fears were confirmed today. I arrived early for my class to check the practical equipment, only to discover that (obviously!) most of it was missing. The class were, needless to say, not best pleased. Time is short before the end of the academic year, and I totally understand the fact the they were more than a little p***ed off! We should have been investigating the action of amylase on starch under different temperature conditions, but had no amylase. I briefly considered getting them to 'gob' into their test tubes, but modern Health and Safety regulations would have considered that a massive no-no! There must be no bodily fluids involved EVER!!!!
On the up side, my sheep skull  had its first outing today, and went down a storm in the AS-level Human Biology lesson about the origins of farming. One of my students has named it 'Jorvic', but the more well-read among the group were going for Yorick. I was very impressed when one of them actually quoted "I knew him, Horatio" rather than the bandied about "I knew him well" version. Who says that scientists can't appreciate literature!?
Anyway, my writing mojo has returned after the Easter break, and I have another 2 articles available on Suite 101, and tomorrow I have my first meeting with a prospective customer!
This is going to be a good week folks!!

Easter break coming to an end...

Well, the Easter break was less productive than I'd hoped, but my commissioned lesson plan was accepted without the need for any revisions, and  I have sent an invoice for my fee.
I'm a little apprehensive about going back to work on Tuesday, as I have to deliver a practical lesson, which somebody else has organised, and ordered the equipment for, but appears to have considered it unnecessary to actually e-mail me to let me know the specifics of what I'm meant to be teaching! Oh well, I'll get there early in the hopes of at least a bit of a heads-up, and then just wing it!
I also have an appointment next week for a MARKETING OPPORTUNITY!!!! Oh, yes, things are looking up on the Dr D's Science Days front. Fingers crossed that the feedback is at least slightly positive.... I'll keep you posted!

The Writing Frenzy Continues...

Well, I have written and sent off my first commissioned piece of work. Hopefully it will be good enough for them to pay me. Personally, I think it's a work of genius, but I suppose the client is always right? How wrong could I be though, with a lesson plan that includes making monsters.... That has to be cool (for the kids definitely, but the intention is that they learn by accident, so the teachers should be happy too!).
I've also been busy writing another article about one of my favourite series of books: The Darwin Awards. Please check out the links within the article. This series, and the website, are fantastic! For teaching evolution, you cannot get more relevant than this!

More Writing than Science-ing during the Easter Break

Besides having had a busy few weeks on the teaching front, I have been trying to pick up the pace with my writing, and am hoping to get a lot more done over the next 2 weeks while the schools and colleges are closed for Easter break.
One brilliant piece of good fortune on the writing front is that my article providing a plenary idea has attracted some attention, which has led to the offer of some bona-fide paid writing work. I've just done the first draft and, as usual, will be re-reading my efforts tomorrow to check that I haven't included any clangers!
The marketing plan is slow going! I have two appointments with schools booked in, but neither could spare me any time before the holidays. Why do teachers have to be so busy all the time?? (Don't answer that.... I know... I've been there!)