In this practical activity, from the Institution of Engineering and Technology, students investigate the properties of smart springs and see how they might be used as muscles in a robotic arm. This activity can be used as an extension to the related activity ‘...

Man-made satellites are put in specific orbits around our Earth and other planets to do certain jobs e.g. to send digital communications or to monitor the weather. These orbits can be distinguished by height above the planet and the orbital period. The orbits of natural satellites are much more varied and these...

The Linnaean collections hold many types of specimens (the first member of species to be scientifically described) for taxonomic study. Making use of the Linnaean collection online, this worksheet focuses on Hymenoptera (including bees, wasps and ants). It looks at the importance of the hymenopterans, particularly...

Produced by ARKive, a database of stunning natural history images, this activity is designed to teach students aged 11 to 14 about the identifiable features of different types of animals and how they are classified. The activity is also suitable for students aged 14 to 16 and beyond. Using a quiz format, students...

This activity enables teachers to introduce the work of the Environment Agency into their lessons and deliver elements of the national curriculum and is designed to be delivered either by a ...

This worksheet, from the Linnean Society, looks at speciation, dimorphic and polymorphic species and Batesian mimicry. In Batesian mimicry a palatable species mimics an unpalatable one, thus protecting itself from predation. Through a series of questions based on the text, the resource aims to explore this in...

This lesson aims to give a flavour of behavioural ecology in the context of African field work, using role play. Some students play the part of baboons, interacting with each other in the same way as a wild baboon troop. Other students play the biologists, studying the baboons in their natural habitat and trying to...

In this activity, alcohol and air are mixed in a large plastic water bottle before being ignited, to simulate the physics principles of...

From Rolls-Royce, these materials are designed to show students the exciting range of careers that are available for students with science, technology, engineering or mathematics skills.

This resource aims to help students see the link between classroom STEM subjects and opportunities in the world of work....

Work done in this Nuffield 13 - 16 module followed from the S unit called ‘Power’. This D unit provided enough material for eight double periods during a Further Science course and built on the content of the S units for Single Science. The teachers’ guide included six...

Why did mammoths become extinct? Scientists have presented two claims: climate change or human hunters. In this lesson students apply their knowledge of evolution and study evidence to decide which claim is best supported.  Students are also asked to explain how a change in the environment can leave a...

This lesson introduces ideas about combustion, incomplete combustion and the production of carbon monoxide, particulates and their relationship to health.

Learning outcomes:

• Students could produce and write symbol equations for the combustion of carbon and methane using models.
• They...

This activity supports learning in science and English, using the context of Dr Edward Jenner’s work on developing a vaccine for Smallpox. Children learn how, through vaccination, Smallpox became the first and only human disease to be eradicated. They look at what other vaccines exist today and the current battles...

This resource supports learning in literacy and drama and science, all based around the life of Edward Jenner. After watching a short film, children discuss some of the main differences between plays and films, beginning to think in terms of cinematic storytelling. They use their scientific and historical...