Product impacts: life cycle analysis

Produced by Practical Action, these materials help students to consider the impacts of a product through its whole life cycle. A presentation describes the concept of lifecycle analysis (LCA) and gives some examples. Students are then challenged to consider the life cycle of familiar products, from raw materials,...

Six R's

This resource from Practical Action helps students look at the 6Rs, their definitions and products which illustrate the 6Rs in action. These are: rethink, reuse, recycle, repair, reduce and refuse. Students look at the definitions carefully again and rank each of the Rs in terms of which contributes most and which...

Design abacus

From Practical Action, this resource is an eco-tool used to compare the sustainability of two products or design ideas.

Product analysis: impacts on people and the environment

This resource from Practical Action includes a presentation and worksheets which give Key Stage Three and Four students opportunities to understand more about the impact of existing and new products on people and the environment. The presentation is packed with useful activities to reinforce students' learning. The...

Gold award: compare the properties of different fabrics

In this project, students compare the properties of a range of fabrics made from different fibres. The fabrics could be woven or knitted and they could be made from natural fibres such as cotton and wool or synthetic fibres such as nylon. Students should investigate physical properties, such as strength, ...

Showcasing careers in STEM

An activity where  students use the  Start website to find out which careers are linked to  subjects including science, technology, engineering, D&T and mathematics. In groups the students are asked to  select two  particular STEM careers and create a...

Tunnelworks: Key Stage Five Chemistry

Tunnelworks is a series of teaching and learning resources linking mathematics and science to the Thames Tideway Tunnel project, a major new sewer that will help protect the River Thames from increasing pollution. Background to the project is given in the introductory video.The AS Level lesson gives students...

Making stars: fusion

”When you tell people you make stars for a living, their heads turn and their mouths open.” The video features Dr Kim Cave-Ayland who is a control engineer at Culham Centre for Fusion Energy (CCFE). 

Dissection and scientific drawing

The ability to accurately observe, dissect and record an organism is a key skill for biology students. Many students are intimidated by the idea of making a scientific drawing, and struggle to develop their skills in this area.This resource is designed to meet the specifications for the A-level practical endorsement...

Student Worksheets: Earth, Sun and Moon

The student s activity sheets consist of a set of questions based on these topics: Auroae – aurorae and the solar wind Eratosthenes – determining the Earth’s circumference Lunar and solar eclipses – their differences and drawing diagrams Lunar phases – questions on the Moon’s phases Planet Earth – phases,...