Rebellious Teenage Animals?

For a chapter on animal adolescence in our book (http://www.zoobiquity.com/), we are looking for studies and stories of animal behaviors—across taxa—that peak during the life-stage in humans we call “adolescence."

These could be anti-predation defenses, foraging strategies, morphological changes—anything that confers fitness or survival benefit to animals at this unique, discrete, critical moment of their lives (after infancy/childhood but before full adult maturity).

Many studies we’ve found discuss “childhood” or a “juvenile stage” generally, but we’re interested in the specific time frame between the development of reproductive capability (puberty) and attainment of full adult physical and social maturity.

We are a cardiologist at UCLA and a medical journalist based in California. If you’re interested or have something share, please contact Kathryn Bowers via email: KLSBowers@gmail.com

New MSc in Human Animal Interactions at University of Southampton, UK

The University of Southampton is offering from September 2011 a new MSc in Human Animal Interactions which has two Pathways:  Animals and Human Health, and Global Issues in Human Animal Interactions.

A flyer is available to download.

Applications can be submitted online.

Special Offer for ASAB Members on David Attenborough's Life on Land
DVD encyclopedia

Would you like to illustrate your talks, lectures or classroom teaching with relevant clips from David Attenborough’s films? 

Life on Land is a unique collection of his main series, which, for the first time allows finding clips on particular subject matters or animal species quickly and easily.   A comprehensive index  provides rapid reference to each species featured and to behavioural categories such as mimicry, camouflage or courtship. It can be accessed interactively on each of the discs and is also included as a hard-back book.
With 40 programmes covering the different groups of living creatures on earth – from plants and insects to amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, Life on Land is a unique wildlife resource for University lecturers, school teachers and other educators.  Teachers will also find the material linked to both the Primary and Secondary School National Curriculum, which they can download from
http://www.naturalhistorydvd.co.uk/education.php

Includes: Private Life of Plants, Life in the Undergrowth, Life in Cold Blood, Life of Birds, Life of Mammals, First Eden
Life on Land can be purchased from: www.bbcshop.com or by calling 0844 848 9799 (BT landlines cost 5p per min; other networks vary).

ASAB members can Buy David Attenborough’s Life on Land DVD at BBC Shop and get an extra £2 off the selling price, with free delivery on this item to the UK (worth £2.45).  Simply enter code BBCSHOP211 in the ‘redeem a promotion’ at checkout.

The Royal Society Partnerships for excellence in science and engineering

The Royal Society's Partnership Grants scheme is now open. You can apply for up to £3000 to work with schools on creative investigations that inspire students with the excitement and wonder of cutting-edge science or engineering research.

Funds are available for projects working with students aged between 5-19, as long as the project involves a UK school or college, and a practising scientist or engineer. The next round for applications closes on 25 February 2011. For more details about eligibility criteria and to find out how to apply via our new online application system, go to http://royalsociety.org/partnership.

What can you apply for?

Scientists and engineers from across the country have come up with a whole range of different projects that have captured the imagination of students. A Partnership Grants project is a real opportunity to exercise your creativity. Find ideas for projects by reading the case studies at http://royalsociety.org/education/partnership/case-studies/ .

If you have a great idea for a project, but need help in finding a partner, then please contact us.

Royal Society staff are happy to discuss ideas for projects, and can be reached on education@royalsociety.org or 0207 451 2554.

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