1. A teaching sequence from the A&E unit
Birth
Activity 1: Fertility
A teaching sequence from the A&E unit
cracking science!
version 1.0

2. 7E Learning Cycle
Darcy realises the fertility clinic is the last hope for childless couples.
What could stop a couple having a baby?
Darcy explains the test results to the childless couple.
How an egg and sperm come together.
Many things can prevent sperm from fertilising eggs.

3. Its your first day at your next placement.
Engage
Elicit
Explore
Explain
Elaborate
Extend
Evaluate
Its your first day at your next placement.
While you are searching for the fertility clinic, you get chatting to a couple headed for the same place.
You realise how important your next job will be.
The clinic is our last hope. We’re desperate for a baby, but I can’t seem to get pregnant.

4. Hi, I’m Suzanne – the nurse coordinator here.
Engage
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Hi, I’m Suzanne – the nurse coordinator here.
You’ll be helping me find out why couples can’t have babies.

5. Let’s start your training. Take a look at that picture on the wall.
Engage
Elicit
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Explain
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Let’s start your training. Take a look at that picture on the wall.

6. This is where it all begins.
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This is where it all begins.
What are these cells and where have they come from?
What will happen next?

7. What could go wrong to stop Chloe getting pregnant?
Engage
Elicit
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Explain
Elaborate
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Evaluate
Student Sheets 1 and 2
What could go wrong to stop Chloe getting pregnant?
Study the diagrams and data. I want to hear your ideas.
ovary where eggs develop
uterus where baby grows
testes where sperm develop

8. Chloe and Jack have come in for tests.
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Elicit
Student Sheet 3
Chloe and Jack have come in for tests.
Choose two that will check your ideas.
Initial checks
Sperm check
Blood tests
Ultrasound scan
Tube X-ray

9. Collect your results from the lab…
Engage
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Elicit
Collect your results from the lab…
..and see if you need to run more tests.
If so, choose two more initial or follow-up tests.
Initial checks
Sperm check
Blood tests
Ultrasound scan
Tube X-ray

10. The lab phoned. Your results are ready.
Engage
Explore
Explain
Elaborate
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Evaluate
Elicit
The lab phoned. Your results are ready.
See if you can tell what’s wrong now.
Initial checks
Sperm check
Blood tests
Ultrasound scan
Tube X-ray
If not, choose two more tests.

11. Your test results are ready.
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Elicit
Your test results are ready.
I hope you have an answer now!
If not, you’d better run more tests.

12. Let’s just clarify what patients need to know.
Engage
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Elicit
Let’s just clarify what patients need to know.
A new life begins when a sperm cell nucleus combines with an egg cell nucleus during fertilisation.

13. ...and can get inside the egg cell.
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Elicit
Fertilisation
This only happens if a sperm reaches an egg soon after it leaves an ovary…
...and can get inside the egg cell.

14. ...and what we’ve learned from our tests.
Engage
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Elicit
You’ll need to show Jack and Chloe how eggs and sperm normally get together…
...and what we’ve learned from our tests.

15. ..and can explain what happens in each place.
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Elicit
Make sure you know the scientific name for each part of their reproductive systems…
Student Sheet 5
..and can explain what happens in each place.
ovary where eggs develop
uterus where baby grows
testes where sperm develop
I’ve got some diagrams you can make notes on.

16. Chloe and Jack will be here in a minute.
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Elicit
Chloe and Jack will be here in a minute.
Plan what to tell them.

17. Our next task will be to suggest a solution. Do you have any ideas?
Engage
Explore
Explain
Elaborate
Extend
Evaluate
Elicit
Our next task will be to suggest a solution. Do you have any ideas?

18. Picture credits Picture Slide Credit
Background Alice Elizabeth Still
Fertilised egg Elmar Breitbach