This report from Ofsted looks at low level classroom disruption. Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector (HMCI) raised concerns about low-level disruption in schools in his Annual Report 2012/13. As a consequence, guidance to inspectors was tightened to place greater emphasis on this issue in routine inspections. In addition...

Looking to discuss the big, contestable questions in STEM? This collection of resources from The Economist Educational Foundation supports students to understand how the scientific and technological processes of the modern world are intertwined with political decisions and ethical calculations. They help develop...

These activities, aimed at primary children, link to aspects of design and technology and literacy. Children follow recipes to make a variety of food for birds including pine cone lardy seed feeders, suet nut log and edible pictures.

This activity is part of the...

Aimed at primary, this resource provides activities which support aspects of literacy, art and D&T in the context of the identification of birds. Children follow instructions to colour, cut and fold templates to make ‘bird snappers’ for thirteen different birds.

The resource also includes a blank poster...

Aimed at primary level, this pack contains a range of different activities based on the theme of Earth. The activities cover a mixture of topics including: identifying plants and animals, habitats and food webs. Designed for use in class or as part of a science week or club, they promote investigative work and...

A Catalyst article describing how new materials can be designed by studying natural materials and how they work. In particular the development of Velcro, military fabric, swimwear and waterproofing is looked at. These products were developed by scientific study of natural products such as plant burrs, pinecones,...

The Biomimicry 3.8 Institute is a not-for-profit organisation which promotes the transfer of ideas, designs, and strategies from biology to sustainable design. The Biomimicry 3.8 Institute’s programmes aim to broaden and deepen teachers’ knowledge of biomimicry and facilitate the integration of biomimicry into the...

This activity from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is a quick, engaging introduction to a lesson looking at the properties of modern materials. It encourages students to think about how technology is changing our society.

From the National Non-Food Crops Centre (NNFCC), these two podcasts explore a range of applications and issues in the biorenewables sector. They are primarily aimed at a commercial audience but may be of use to teachers who want to gain a better understanding of plant-derived materials or, when used in part, as...

This resource, from the Association for Science Education (ASE), contains a number of recipes for making fermented soft drinks and some suggestions about how students could explore the science involved in making them.

The predecessors of modern carbonated drinks were often made at home or on a small scale....

This resource introduces the Black Sea Maritime Archaeology Project (@BlackSeaMAP), a three-year...

The focus of this activity is on the principle of hydrodynamics through testing boat hull designs in a test tank.

This activity gives students the opportunity to explore and develop their critical thinking and decision making skills through a practical approach....

In this activity, from the Institution of Engineering and technology (IET), students investigate a use of electronic systems to improve health care.

They study a case where a Body Centric Antenna (BCA) increases the...

Body centric communications is any communication on, within or around the body using wireless technology. In this film, engineers give examples of the applications of this technology, including wireless devices which monitor blood glucose and communicate directly with a device which can administer insulin. This...