Science and Technology Facilities Council

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) was formed in April 2007 by merging the Particle Physics & Astronomy Research Council and the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils.

STFC aims to encourage public engagement with science and technology and the Science in Society Programme provides enrichment activities and support for schools. This collection includes teaching and learning resources linked to the National Curriculum and Post-16 courses.

STFC also:
•funds the best research within in astronomy and nuclear and particle physics;
•enables the research community to have access to the best facilities in the world;
•provides leadership and leverage in the development and implementation of strategies for large facilities;
•increases the UK technology capability, engagement with industry and knowledge transfer.

The Science and Technology Facilities Council undertakes research at two principal sites: the Daresbury and Harwell Science and Innovation Campuses. Harwell is home to ISIS, the world's most powerful pulsed neutron and muon source - used to study the atomic structure of materials; Vulcan, the world's highest intensity focused laser; and the Diamond synchrotron, in which the Science and Technology Facilities Council has a large share. The Cockcroft Institute at Daresbury leads the way in designing the next generation of particle-accelerators.

Seeing Science is a set of resources devised by education professionals for STFC and provides a wide range of activities for teachers to use with their Key Stage Three and Key Stage Four students. The resources are arranged in six themes: Life, Space, Materials, Food, Environment and Light. The Key Stage Four resources are particularly aimed at supporting the 'How Science Works' part of the science curriculum.