Bristol’s technology festival is showing off some really cool ideas and inventions that could make a big difference in different areas. One of the standout creations is a pair of socks that can tell if someone might have Alzheimer’s Disease. Dr. Zeke Steer made these socks with special sensors that can keep track of things like heart rate and sweat. If the socks notice something unusual, they can let caregivers know so they can help. Dr. Steer came up with this idea because he saw his own great-grandma go through Alzheimer’s.

Another cool thing at the festival is making tests more accurate and easier to understand. They’re working on a way to make pregnancy tests better by using electricity. Right now, you have to look for lines on the test to see if you’re pregnant or not. But this new way would get rid of the lines and give you a more exact answer. It would also help blind women because they could get their results without anyone knowing.

The festival isn’t just about healthcare, though. They’re also talking about things like AI, disruptive technology, and sustainability. It’s a chance for people to meet each other, share their ideas with investors, and work together on new projects. The CEO of TechSpark, Ben Shorrock, says that Bristol’s tech industry is growing really fast. There are lots of start-ups and companies working on new technologies for healthcare and the environment.

One of the coolest things at the festival is a hologram of former US President Barack Obama. It’s made by a company called Rocketmakers and uses AI to have conversations with you. The AI program looks up information on the internet to figure out what President Obama would say. This hologram could be used in lots of different ways, like in schools, customer service, and training.

Overall, Bristol’s technology festival is showing off some amazing ideas and inventions. It’s all about healthcare, sustainability, and new technologies. The festival is a chance for start-ups to show what they’re working on, get support from investors, and work with other people who have similar ideas. There are so many cool things to see, like the socks that can detect Alzheimer’s and the hologram of President Obama. It’s really exciting to see how technology is changing the world!

Original news source: Technology festival’s sock that detect Alzheimer’s signs (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: In pairs, students will read the article and then write a brief summary of the key points. They should focus on the main ideas and important details. Afterward, pairs can share their summaries with the class and discuss any differences or similarities.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: In small groups, students will discuss and debate their opinions on the ideas and inventions mentioned in the article. They can take turns sharing their thoughts and reasons for their opinions. Afterward, each group will present their opinions to the class, and the class can vote on which ideas they find most interesting or innovative.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Divide the class into two teams. Each team will take turns selecting a vocabulary word from the article. One student from the team will draw a visual representation of the word while their teammates try to guess what the word is. The team that guesses correctly within a certain amount of time earns a point. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: In pairs, students will discuss the pros and cons of one of the ideas or inventions mentioned in the article. They should consider the potential benefits and drawbacks, as well as any ethical or societal implications. Afterward, pairs can share their discussions with the class and engage in a larger group discussion on the topic.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Individually, students will imagine and write a short paragraph about how one of the ideas or inventions mentioned in the article could impact the future. They should consider the potential advancements, changes, and challenges that could arise. Afterward, students can share their predictions with a partner and discuss their ideas.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What can the special sensors in the socks detect?
2. Why did Dr. Zeke Steer create the socks?
3. How does the new way of doing pregnancy tests improve accuracy?
4. Who would benefit from the new way of doing pregnancy tests?
5. Besides healthcare, what other topics are discussed at the festival?
6. What is the purpose of the hologram of Barack Obama?
7. What does the hologram use AI for?
8. What is the festival a chance for start-ups to do?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Bristol’s technology (1)______ is showing off some really cool (2)______ and inventions that could make a big difference in different areas. One of the standout creations is a pair of socks that can tell if someone might have Alzheimer’s (3)______. Dr. Zeke (4)______ made these socks with special sensors that can keep track of things like heart rate and sweat. If the socks notice something unusual, they can let caregivers know so they can help. Dr. Steer came up with this idea because he saw his own great-grandma go through Alzheimer’s.

Another cool thing at the festival is making (5)______ more (6)______ and easier to understand. They’re working on a way to make pregnancy tests better by using electricity. Right now, you have to look for lines on the test to see if you’re (7)______ or not. But this new way would get rid of the lines and give you a more exact answer. It would also help blind women because they could get their results without anyone knowing.

The festival isn’t just about healthcare, though. They’re also talking about things like AI, (8)______ technology, and sustainability. It’s a chance for people to meet each other, share their ideas with investors, and work together on new projects. The CEO of (9)______, Ben Shorrock, says that Bristol’s tech industry is growing really fast. There are lots of start-ups and (10)______ working on new technologies for healthcare and the environment.

One of the coolest things at the festival is a hologram of (11)______ US President Barack (12)______. It’s made by a company called Rocketmakers and uses AI to have conversations with you. The AI program looks up information on the internet to figure out what President Obama would say. This hologram could be used in lots of different ways, like in schools, (13)______ service, and training.

Overall, Bristol’s technology festival is showing off some amazing ideas and inventions. It’s all about (14)______, (15)______, and new technologies. The festival is a chance for start-ups to show what they’re working on, get support from investors, and work with other people who have similar ideas. There are so many cool things to see, like the socks that can (16)______ Alzheimer’s and the hologram of President Obama. It’s really exciting to see how technology is changing the world!
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is Alzheimer’s Disease and how does it affect people?
2. How would you feel if you had a pair of socks that could detect if you might have Alzheimer’s Disease? Why?
3. Do you think it’s important to make medical tests more accurate and easier to understand? Why or why not?
4. How do you think using electricity to improve pregnancy tests could help blind women?
5. What are some other areas of technology that the festival is focusing on, besides healthcare?
6. Have you ever attended a technology festival or similar event? If so, what was your experience like?
7. Do you think it’s important for start-ups to have the opportunity to showcase their ideas and get support from investors? Why or why not?
8. How do you think AI technology could be used in schools, customer service, and training?
9. What are some other ways that technology is changing the world?
10. How do you feel about the advancements in technology that are being showcased at the festival? Why?
11. Do you think it’s important for people to collaborate and work together on new projects? Why or why not?
12. Have you ever had a personal experience with a family member or friend who had Alzheimer’s Disease? If so, how did it impact you?
13. How do you think technology can help improve sustainability and protect the environment?
14. Would you like to see a hologram of a famous person like President Obama? Why or why not?
15. What is one cool idea or invention that you would like to see showcased at a technology festival? Why?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. festival
2. inventions
3. Alzheimer’s Disease
4. sensors
5. pregnancy tests
6. hologram
7. start-ups
8. technology

Meanings:
(a) New companies that are just starting
(b) Things that can tell you information
(c) Tests that tell if you’re going to have a baby
(d) A 3D picture that looks real
(e) New things that people make
(f) A sickness that makes you forget things
(g) The use of science to make new things
(h) A big event where people show new things
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is one of the standout creations at Bristol’s technology festival?
(a) A hologram of Barack Obama
(b) Socks that can detect Alzheimer’s Disease
(c) A new way to make pregnancy tests better
(d) AI technology for customer service

2. How do the socks that can detect Alzheimer’s Disease work?
(a) They have special sensors that keep track of things like heart rate and sweat
(b) They use electricity to give a more exact answer
(c) They get rid of lines on pregnancy tests
(d) They use AI to have conversations with you

3. What is one of the ways the new way to make pregnancy tests better could help blind women?
(a) They use special sensors to detect Alzheimer’s Disease
(b) They could get their results without anyone knowing
(c) They can have conversations with you using AI
(d) They make tests more accurate and easier to understand

4. What are some of the topics being discussed at Bristol’s technology festival?
(a) Pregnancy tests, healthcare, and the environment
(b) Holograms, start-ups, and customer service
(c) AI, disruptive technology, and sustainability
(d) Heart rate, sweat, and blindness

5. What is the CEO of TechSpark, Ben Shorrock, saying about Bristol’s tech industry?
(a) It is growing really fast with lots of start-ups and companies
(b) It is focused on healthcare and the environment
(c) It is working on new technologies for customer service
(d) It is using AI to detect Alzheimer’s Disease

6. What is one of the potential uses for the hologram of Barack Obama?
(a) To detect Alzheimer’s Disease
(b) To make pregnancy tests better
(c) In schools, customer service, and training
(d) To have conversations with you using AI

7. What is the overall focus of Bristol’s technology festival?
(a) AI, disruptive technology, and pregnancy tests
(b) Start-ups, investors, and customer service
(c) Heart rate, sweat, and blindness
(d) Healthcare, sustainability, and new technologies

8. What is exciting about how technology is changing the world?
(a) It is growing the tech industry in Bristol
(b) It is using AI to detect Alzheimer’s Disease
(c) It is working on new technologies for the environment
(d) It is showing off amazing ideas and inventions

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Bristol’s tech industry is not rapidly growing, with few start-ups and companies working on healthcare and environmental technologies.
2. A pair of socks with special sensors has been created to detect signs of Alzheimer’s Disease.
3. Researchers are not working on improving pregnancy tests by using electricity instead of lines to indicate results.
4. This new method of testing would provide a more accurate answer and benefit blind women.
5. The creator of the socks, Dr. Zeke Steer, was not inspired by his own great-grandma’s experience with Alzheimer’s.
6. The festival does not focus on topics such as AI, disruptive technology, and sustainability.
7. The technology festival in Bristol is showcasing innovative ideas and inventions in various fields.
8. The socks monitor heart rate and sweat, and alert caregivers if anything unusual is detected.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What is one of the standout creations at Bristol’s technology festival?
2. How do the socks that Dr. Zeke Steer made work?
3. How could the new way of doing pregnancy tests help blind women?
4. Besides healthcare, what other topics are being discussed at the festival?
5. What is one of the cool things that Rocketmakers has created for the festival?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What can the special sensors in the socks detect?
The special sensors in the socks can detect things like heart rate and sweat.

2. Why did Dr. Zeke Steer create the socks?
Dr. Zeke Steer created the socks because he saw his own great-grandma go through Alzheimer’s Disease and wanted to help others who might have it.

3. How does the new way of doing pregnancy tests improve accuracy?
The new way of doing pregnancy tests improves accuracy by using electricity instead of lines, giving a more exact answer.

4. Who would benefit from the new way of doing pregnancy tests?
Blind women would benefit from the new way of doing pregnancy tests because they could get their results without anyone knowing.

5. Besides healthcare, what other topics are discussed at the festival?
Besides healthcare, the festival also discusses topics like AI, disruptive technology, and sustainability.

6. What is the purpose of the hologram of Barack Obama?
The purpose of the hologram of Barack Obama is to have conversations with people and provide information, like in schools, customer service, and training.

7. What does the hologram use AI for?
The hologram uses AI to look up information on the internet and figure out what President Obama would say in different situations.

8. What is the festival a chance for start-ups to do?
The festival is a chance for start-ups to show what they’re working on, get support from investors, and collaborate with others who have similar ideas.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) festival
(2) ideas
(3) Disease
(4) Steer
(5) tests
(6) accurate
(7) pregnant
(8) disruptive
(9) TechSpark
(10) companies
(11) former
(12) Obama
(13) customer
(14) healthcare
(15) sustainability
(16) detect
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. festival
Answer: (h) A big event where people show new things

2. inventions
Answer: (e) New things that people make

3. Alzheimer’s Disease
Answer: (f) A sickness that makes you forget things

4. sensors
Answer: (b) Things that can tell you information

5. pregnancy tests
Answer: (c) Tests that tell if you’re going to have a baby

6. hologram
Answer: (d) A 3D picture that looks real

7. start-ups
Answer: (a) New companies that are just starting

8. technology
Answer: (g) The use of science to make new things
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is one of the standout creations at Bristol’s technology festival?
Answer: (b) Socks that can detect Alzheimer’s Disease

2. How do the socks that can detect Alzheimer’s Disease work?
Answer: (a) They have special sensors that keep track of things like heart rate and sweat

3. What is one of the ways the new way to make pregnancy tests better could help blind women?
Answer: (b) They could get their results without anyone knowing

4. What are some of the topics being discussed at Bristol’s technology festival?
Answer: (c) AI, disruptive technology, and sustainability

5. What is the CEO of TechSpark, Ben Shorrock, saying about Bristol’s tech industry?
Answer: (a) It is growing really fast with lots of start-ups and companies

6. What is one of the potential uses for the hologram of Barack Obama?
Answer: (c) In schools, customer service, and training

7. What is the overall focus of Bristol’s technology festival?
Answer: (d) Healthcare, sustainability, and new technologies

8. What is exciting about how technology is changing the world?
Answer: (d) It is showing off amazing ideas and inventions
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Bristol’s tech industry is not rapidly growing, with few start-ups and companies working on healthcare and environmental technologies. (Answer: False)
2. A pair of socks with special sensors has been created to detect signs of Alzheimer’s Disease. (Answer: True)
3. Researchers are not working on improving pregnancy tests by using electricity instead of lines to indicate results. (Answer: False)
4. This new method of testing would provide a more accurate answer and benefit blind women. (Answer: True)
5. The creator of the socks, Dr. Zeke Steer, was not inspired by his own great-grandma’s experience with Alzheimer’s. (Answer: False)
6. The festival does not focus on topics such as AI, disruptive technology, and sustainability. (Answer: False)
7. The technology festival in Bristol is showcasing innovative ideas and inventions in various fields. (Answer: True)
8. The socks monitor heart rate and sweat, and alert caregivers if anything unusual is detected. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧