Science Supremo now available free for Science teachers

June 9, 2008 - PRLog -- DESQ is pleased to announce the completion of Science Supremo, a game-based learning resource that offers young people studying GCSE Science an opportunity to get a feel for what scientists do and to understand the interplay between science and society. It is mapped to learning objectives in the new GCSE curricula (launched in September 2006).

In Science Supremo students take on the role of scientists working in modern drug development.  They run a clinical trial of a new, fictional drug for tuberculosis and make choices about how to run the trial and which volunteers to include. Their choices affect the results of the clinical trials, with ratings and statistics changing according to their decisions.

“The current version of the game is a fully playable prototype, which can be played in small groups or by individuals,” explained Liz Wheat, Senior Producer at DESQ. “It’s accompanied by comprehensive teacher support resources, handouts and suggested lesson plans, making it a really useful resource.”

“Science Supremo also allows students to learn in different ways according to their preferred style,” added Tony Sherborne, Creative Director at Sheffield Hallam University’s Centre for Science Education.  “Students can use the resource individually, or a teacher can take more control of the game, giving students more direct instructions about what to do in each of the game stages or within a lesson.”

For more information about Science Supremo, please visit www.desq.co.uk/science
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Science Supremo has been developed by DESQ Ltd, a learning games development studio www.desq.co.uk and Sheffield Hallam University’s Centre for Science Education http://www.shu.ac.uk/research/cse/, with support from the Wellcome Trust and NESTA.

About the Centre for Science Education (CSE)

The Centre for Science Education (CSE) is a research and business development unit specialising in the STEM subjects, but in particular, science. CSE creates, manages and delivers resources, projects and initiatives to support teachers and students at all levels of education.
http://www.shu.ac.uk/research/cse/

About DESQ

DESQ is a leading producer of educational resources and a specialist in interactive resources and simulations, which exploit the power of games technology to provide an immersive experience for learners. Based in Sheffield, they develop learning materials to support both formal and informal learning. They develop content for web, CD-ROM, VLE and for interactive TV.  They’ve worked for clients including Becta (NLN), Ufi learndirect, BBC, Channel 4, Oxford University Press and the LSC.
http://www.desq.co.uk/

About Wellcome Trust

The Wellcome Trust is the largest charity in the UK. It funds innovative biomedical research, in the UK and internationally, spending around £650 million each year to support the brightest scientists with the best ideas. The Wellcome Trust supports public debate about biomedical research and its impact on health and wellbeing.
http://www.wellcome.ac.uk.


Contact Details:
DESQ Ltd
The Workstation
15 Paternoster Row
Sheffield
S1 2BX
www.desq.co.uk
deborahmills@desq.co.uk