Resources by National STEM Learning Centre and Network

How can we live smarter?

Human beings are pretty smart. We have transformed the world and thought up some wondrous inventions. But what will the future hold for planet Earth and the people who inhabit it? Can we use new technology and innovations to improve the quality of our lives as well as the world we live in?

How could we augment ourselves?

The human body is an amazing piece of engineering. For thousands of years it has kept us running, thinking and, best of all, staying alive! But are there scientific innovations that we can use to make our bodies even better?

How do humans and animals keep warm in the Arctic

How do humans and animals keep warm in the Arctic? In this lesson children investigate the insulating properties of materials and consider how the adaptations of Arctic organisms help develop these. The context of the lesson is helping to develop new clothing for Tyler Fish, one of the Catlin Arctic Survey...

How do microphones record sound?

Willis is a Digital Creative Skills Lecturer at Belfast Metropolitan College. In this Discover STEM video he describes how two different types of microphones record sound.

1) Dynamic microphones – using an electromagnet

2) Condenser microphones – using capacitors

Willis has contributed to ...

How do you eat like an arctic explorer

What do people eat in the Arctic? How do they make sure they have a balanced diet?

In this unit children learn about diet and the importance of a balanced diet through the experiences of polar explorers. Using creativity and scientific research skills children will create a menu suitable for an Arctic...

How I solve problems on car assembly lines

Steve is a Contract Quality Engineer and in this video he talks about what happens when problems are found on a car assembly line and how his work as a Quality Engineer supports the suppliers of car parts to solve problems.

Steve’s role as a Contracts Quality Engineer involves working mainly with the...

How I take measurements in civil engineering

Sarah is an apprentice civil engineer, in this Discover STEM video she talks about the different ways that she takes measurements when inspecting structures, including a measuring wheel, caliper, tape measure and laser measure.

Sarah has contributed to this Discover STEM video as a volunteer with the STEM...

How I use technical drawings to evaluate nuclear safety

Christine is a Principal Inspector for the Office for Nuclear Regulation. Christine inspects nuclear licensed sites and influences safety and sustainable improvements at nuclear installations. In this Discover STEM video Christine provides examples of how technical drawings are used to evaluate the safety of a...

How is the Arctic changing?

This unit investigates one of the ways the Arctic is changing as a result of global warming. The sea level rise investigation demonstrates how the melting of different types of ice in the Arctic will affect sea level rise.

This investigation is taken from Digital Explorer Frozen Oceans:...

How protein aggregation impacts drug manufacture

Leon is a postdoctoral research fellow in the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Leeds. In this Discover STEM video Leon explains what protein aggregation is and why researchers want to understand this process to prevent protein-based medicines from being damaged during manufacture....