Discovery and Development

Overview

This 60-minute lesson introduces Year 10 students to the discovery, development, and testing of drugs, following the National Curriculum for England – Key Stage 4 (Years 9-11), specifically relating to biology and chemistry within the “Topic B5 – Homeostasis and response” and the “Topic C2 – Organisation and the development of new medicines.” The lesson explores how drugs are discovered, tested and developed before becoming available for use, highlighting ethical considerations and scientific processes.

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National Curriculum Links

• Biology – B5.5: Understand the importance of drug trials, including placebo use and double-blind trials.
• Chemistry – C2.5: Explain the stages of drug development from discovery to clinical trials.
• Working Scientifically: Planning enquiries, analysing data, and evaluating evidence and processes.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:

• Describe how drugs can be discovered from natural and synthetic sources.
• Explain the key stages of drug development, including preclinical and clinical trials.
• Understand the importance of controlled and double-blind trials in testing drug efficacy and safety.
• Consider ethical issues related to drug testing and development.
• Apply knowledge through an interactive group activity simulating the drug development process.

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Resources

• Whiteboard and markers
• Projector and computer for presentation slides
• Printed “Drug Development Timeline” worksheet (for group activity)
• Cards with drug trial roles and ethical dilemmas
• Video clip summarising a drug trial (2 minutes)
• Stopwatch or timer
• Student notebooks and pens

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Lesson Structure

Starter (10 minutes)

• Activity: Quick Think-Pair-Share discussion
  • Question posed: “Have you ever wondered how medicines are discovered and tested before you can buy them at a pharmacy?”
  • Students think individually for 1 minute, pair up to discuss for 2 minutes, then share key ideas with the class.
• Teacher writes key ideas on the board categorising them as ‘drug discovery’ and ‘drug testing.’
• Brief introduction connecting ideas to real-world medicine discovery.

Main Teaching (20 minutes)

1. Presentation and Explanation (15 minutes)

• Slide 1: Introduction to drug sources: natural (plants, microorganisms) and synthetic.
• Slide 2: The drug development process:
  • Discovery and screening
  • Preclinical testing on cells and animals
  • Clinical trials (Phase I, II, III)
  • Licensing and monitoring
• Slide 3: Controlled trials and placebos – why placebos are used.
• Slide 4: Double-blind trials – explanation and benefits.
• Slide 5: Ethical considerations around drug testing on animals and humans.
• Show a short 2-minute video clip illustrating a modern drug trial.

2. Interactive Explanation with Socratic questioning

• Ask: “Why can’t a drug be sold immediately after discovery?”
• “What could happen if drugs weren’t properly tested?”
• Encourage students to think about patient safety, side-effects, and unethical testing.

Group Activity – Simulating Drug Development (20 minutes)

• Split class into 4 groups of 5 students.
• Each group receives:
  • “Drug Development Timeline” worksheet (with blank stages for filling in)
  • Role cards (e.g., Scientist, Clinical Trial Coordinator, Ethics Officer, Patient Advocate, Regulator)
  • Ethical dilemma cards (scenarios that might arise during drug testing).

Task:

1. Groups read through their roles.
2. Using the worksheet and role cards, they fill in each stage of drug development and discuss:
   • What happens at each stage?
   • Questions or concerns from their assigned role.
   • How to resolve ethical dilemmas.
3. After 15 minutes, groups share one key challenge they faced and how they resolved it.

Plenary and Assessment (10 minutes)

• Class-wide discussion synthesising group feedback.

• Teacher asks specific questions linked to learning objectives:

  • “What makes a clinical trial reliable?”
  • “How do ethical considerations impact drug development?”
  • “Why is it important that many drugs fail during trials?”

• Mini quiz (written or oral):

  1. Name two sources of drugs.
  2. What is a placebo?
  3. Explain a double-blind trial.
  4. Why are ethics important in drug testing?

• Collect mini quiz answers for formative assessment.

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Differentiation and Inclusion

• Provide printed notes with keywords and diagrams for students with additional needs.
• Role cards designed at varying reading levels to engage all learners.
• Encourage verbal contributions and allow alternative responses for assessments (e.g., drawing or diagram explanations).
• Support students with ASD or social communication needs during group work by pre-assigning clear structured roles.

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Homework/Extension

• Research a drug (e.g., penicillin or aspirin) and write a short paragraph on its discovery and development process. Include ethical issues involved if any.
• Optional challenge: Design a poster illustrating the stages of drug development for younger students.

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Teacher Reflection Notes

• Monitor student engagement and understanding during group activity to identify those needing further support.
• Use mini quiz results to inform next lessons on pharmacology or human biology.
• Consider arranging a visit or guest speaker from a pharmaceutical scientist for a follow-up experience.

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This lesson plan delivers a compelling, curriculum-aligned exploration of drug discovery and development with innovative role-play and ethical debate, inspiring students and supporting diverse learning styles.