This outreach programme aimed to build upon good practice from the Royal Society of Chemistry's (RSC) project Chemistry for our Future, and to develop new activities which could then be used with the RSC’s Spectroscopy in a Suitcase (SIAS) equipment. It explored appropriate contexts which may appeal to students...

This activity from the CS4FN team at QMUL is a metaphorical introduction to Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), graphical user interfaces (GUIs) and the difficulties of working at the command line.

The whole-class activity uses a game called spit-not-so. The winner of the game is the first to choose, from a...

This Core Maths activity is based on finding the cheapest train tickets for journeys with stopping stations, where one ticket can be replaced by split tickets. It involves arithmetic and problem solving skills.

The activity sheet shows the cost of tickets between Exeter and Birmingham and four stations in...

An excellent activity from CS4FN to train students’ eyes to spot errors in code. This would form a useful starter activity.

Teaching and learning...

This Core Maths resource enables students to explore various models of the spread of disease. 

The presentation has links to instructions for three activities:

• a practical investigation using a die and counters to model...

Discover the approach to Core Maths taken by the lead Core Maths teacher at St. Marylebone Church of England School. More than GCSE maths, the school recognises that the course provides a valuable opportunity for students to see how mathematics can be used in their future studies or careers, stating:

‘...

In this practical activity students stain root tips and examine them for signs of cells dividing by mitosis. Students can either compare two different sources of root tip or two different stains. The mitotic index is the fraction of cells in a microscope field which contain condensed chromosomes. This index can be...

From the Integrating Mathematical Problem Solving project by Mathematics for Education and Industry (MEI), this activity for post-16 students shows how modelling helps decision making by allowing us to see what is likely to happen. The mathematical ideas covered are:
• Modelling cycle
• Binomial...

This CensusAtSchool resource is based on key concepts needed by students doing GCSE mathematics, although it may be useful for an introductory review at A level or for strong Key Stage Three students. Pairs are asked to discuss statements on cards and decide, with...

A very useful guide to data analysis in post 16 biology investigations, published by SSERC.

The booklet has been written in a way that is accessible to both teachers and senior school students. The authors say that if you think incorporating statistics into the report of a biology investigation is difficult...

The Nuffield Foundation provide this resource where students use simulated stature data for men and women in eight countries to draw histograms and look for general results, as manufacturers need to take these into account when they design products. This is mainly intended as an introduction to the normal...

A CS Unplugged series resource aimed at younger students but also works well with A level students. The document contains student activities covering constructing Steiner trees, greedy algorithms and solving traversal problems.

We know that sometimes it can be difficult to visualise what STEM Ambassadors actually do.

Even after speaking to colleagues who are old hands at delivering activities, questions can still remain. Why do I need to meet the teacher first? What if the students are bored? How do I make it relevant? Where do I...

Produced by the new economics foundation (nef), this resource contains activities that help students to discuss and understand stem cell research. The materials contain teacher guidance, student information and a range of activities that promote discussion and debate.

Students use the materials to learn...