Resources by STEM Learning

Is there witchcraft and wizardry in the real world?

You may think that magic and spells only exist in your favourite books and movies. But can we make magic in the real world? This resource investigates how you can use science to make things change colour and state, or even disappear.

The activities are introduced with a quick objective and a preparation...

Laser cooling

Lasers can be used to heat things up, and also to cool them down. Using carefully tuned lasers, scientists in the UK quantum technology hubs are able to slow atoms down to just a few centimetres per...

Lights

In this resource students will carry out experiments with prisms, polarising film and 3D cinema glasses to explain some of the interesting properties of light and their applications.

Curriculum links include refractive index, total internal reflection, polarisation

Making bubbles

Inspired by the Born to Engineer video from Dr Eleanor Stride, an engineer who is developing a treatment for cancer that encloses cancer-treating drugs in bubbles, this resource supports students to increase their understanding of engineering in a food science context,...

Making music

In this activity, students create musical instruments using recycled materials.  They are then asked to analyse the musical notes their instruments produce using free-to-download software.  The challenge is for the students to see how close the notes their instruments make can get to those produced by real...

Making Stone Age Cheese

These resources use the context of feasting at Stonehenge to consider aspects of food processing, food allergies and intolerance.  There are opportunities for students to:

• make and test their own cottage cheese
• to consider the effect of processing on lactose content of foods
• to...

Making waves

These resources explores how engineers have used their knowledge of waves to improve lives.  The activities include:

• Using the reflection of light to create a floating image
• Investigating the best material for thermal resistance (insulation) in a survival suit

Curriculum links...

Materials testing, engineering a football boot

Inspired by the Born to Engineer video from Sam Fraser, an engineer who combines his love for engineering with a passion for football, this resource supports students to increase their understanding of materials engineering, including materials testing, design and material properties (Hooke’s Law, shear,...

Maths and science challenge 2012

This challenge asks teams of students to plan a major sporting event in their local area. The resource provides an opportunity for students to explore their ideas in a creative environment. Teams can define their own goals and priorities, but may want to focus on three main areas of planning an event:

•...