We’re delighted to launch our free home teaching and learning support for families with a first video featuring British astronaut Tim Peake answering children’s questions about space.
Suitable for young people aged 4-19, our subject experts have carefully selected more than 300 activities and materials available from our bank of over 14,000 free resources to support parents and carers with home learning, with a particular focus on science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).
STEM Ambassador Tim Peake features in a new video where he answers children’s questions about how to become an astronaut. He reveals whether astronauts worry about loo roll running out, discusses pre-launch quarantine and COVID-19 on the International Space Station, and even suggests that one day children might be going into space.
Other fun, hands-on activities that can easily be carried out at home include how to bounce an egg using nothing but vinegar, using jelly to learn about how things dissolve and identifying solids and liquids, building helicopter spinners, and learning about the spectrum of light while making ‘Thank You NHS’ rainbows.
Among the advice available for parents, we have curated content on how to maintain your child’s wellbeing as a result of coronavirus and created a survival guide for parents who are dealing with home learning for the first time.
For extra support, our subject experts are available weekdays from 8:30 am to 4.30 pm via a webchat, which can be found at the bottom right-hand side of every page on our website.
STEM Ambassador Tim Peake says:
“I was fortunate enough to become an astronaut, but even if I hadn’t there are so many interesting and exciting careers in space and aviation that are all made possible by STEM subjects. The most important thing, regardless of what field you’d like to work in, is to follow what you’re passionate about; work hard at it, be determined and, while there will be ups-and-downs along the way, you will always see it through.”
Fran Dainty, Head of Education at STEM Learning added:
“Supporting families with home learning has never been more important, but there’s no reason for it to be daunting; that’s why we’ve published more than 300 activities and materials; free for everybody. Not only are they enjoyable and easy to do, but fun, and the parents here at STEM have been writing blogs about their own science experiments, tips and experiences, which are also available to read.
“Not only will these activities help inspire the next generation of astronauts, scientists and engineers, but also help both parents and teachers navigate upcoming summer term of home learning as smoothly as possible, with live chat also available to help with any questions or advice.”
Over the coming months, the activities and materials will be supported with regular video content from other famous STEM Ambassadors.