Is a "zombie plan" a good teaching presentation?

[zombieplanmum]

I have an interview this week for a biology lecturer at a local college. I was thinking of using a "zombie plan" as an analogy for an immune response, and then present a ten minute intro to the immune system after introducing it as the body's "zombie plan" against infection. Just to add a bit of a spin to the lesson really.

I mentioned this to a few geeky scientist friends and they thought it was a good idea, but when i mentioned it to my DP and another non-scientist but very geeky friend they both made hmm faces and didn't really know what a zombie plan is - firstly, they are being unreasonable, i thought everyone knew bout zombie plans, or is that just everyone on mumsnet?

So my question really is - will the interview panel even know what a zombie plan is?

and if they do, will they think its a bit patroising? I am not sure exactly what courses i will be teaching on, they do a range from GCSE, A levels, HNC and health science courses, but all of the students will be post sixteen and assumably chosing college so they are treated more as adults etc, so would the "zombie plan" analogy be a tad silly?

My hope is that it would be seen to be a bit quirky and engaging and of course most of my ten minutes will be proper science talking about components of the immune system and what they do?

Any thoughts on this, i only have until wednesday to do this and i'm busy all this weekend so i need to be focused and have a good idea to work on. This is knocking around in my head and i think i cn make a good lesson out of it, i need to kick it out if people think its odd - i don't want to have to explain what a zombie plan actually is, that would be worse than a comedian having to explain a joke hmm

[DrSeuss]

Love it! Hook to start is to define terms, first slide is "When Zombies attack! You have sixty seconds to plan your escape from killer zombies!" Then set your timer for your 60 secs and have a two minute feedback. Lead into how infection is like a zombie attack. Plenary is to get kids to summarise the body's own Zombie plan. Lots of clip art and gifs. Find a good backdrop for your slides at picsearch.co.uk. Rewards of Halloween sweets? Can you make a zombie acronym? Can the kids as a plenary? Boost Resistance And Immunity Nicely? Usually Nasty Diseases Eventually Are Defeated?
The trend these days seems to be for quirky and attention grabbing. This is certainly both!
Good luck!

[zombieplanmum]

Thanks Dr! I am only "teaching" an interview panel - but you are right, how very apt that it is halloween, i hadn't even thought of that :)

[zombieplanmum]

oh and UNDEAD! love it!! :)

[DrSeuss]

let me know how it goes. Have you seen the playing card question method? Each kid gets a card, you have an identical set, whoever's card comes up answers. Saves the same kids always answering which the panel won't like. I know you aren't teaching real kids but still. The cards could be themed.

[DrSeuss]

Also, don't forget that the kids do stuff, you don't. They sort cards, match words, seek definitions, etc, you facilitate. No talk and chalk if you can help it, although I don't know about post GCSE. Do people do more lecture style stuff there?

[Knowsabitabouteducation]

I've never heard of a Zombie Plan (am a science teacher).

If you want to use this, you need to explain it very clearly upfront.

[Fluffanstuff]

Love it ! Zombies very popular atm .. Just asked my sister if shed get what a zombie plan is if you were worried ...Zombie apocalypse plan ...might go well with halloween , derren brown latest escapade etc. .... I dont think its patronising its engaging and lets face it if anyone is going to play you up likely hood it will be the boys who are hard to engage so you definitely have to think outside the box !

[knitknack]

I always use a 'zombie apocalypse' to explain the countryside during the black death! (bodies lying decomposing in ditches, cows lowing in distress because there's no one to milk them - all from primary sources). The kids LOVE it! They totally get it (year 9)

It sounds like a brilliant lesson - go for it!!