Birmingham Institute for Forest Research (BIFoR) has provided a free online learning platform for schools which includes curriculum linked activities, developed to support secondary school students. These activities provide the opportunity for students to join a growing community of citizen scientists who are...

This film tells the story of how DNA sequencing was used to identify the gene BRAF. Clinical researcher Ultan McDermott tells the story of how scientists at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute discovered a specific mutation in the BRAF gene, which is found in around half of malignant melanoma cases. He...

This resource presents four Fermi problems, or back-of-the-envelope calculations, based on a video about an underwater volcano disaster.  Students are expected to develop experience of using quantitative reasoning techniques and gain an...

This concept cartoon focuses on bacteria, infection and the immune system. Concept cartoons provide a new approach to teaching, learning and assessment in science, they feature cartoon-style drawings showing different characters arguing about everyday situations. They are designed to intrigue, to provoke discussion...

This is a quick worksheet for students to label the parts of the uterus and describe the function of each part. Curriculum links include reproduction, pregnancy.

This is a starter activity in which students describe the route of a molecule of oxygen from air in the lungs to a muscle in a leg. A simple circulation “map” is provided to enable students to trace the route from the lungs, through the heart and to the leg. The map is supplied in 2 forms
at different levels...

In this starter activity, students use the information on a labelled diagram of a knee joint to complete a cloze exercise. Students can work out logically where to insert words, given a list. Additionally, sports injuries and treatment can be considered. Curriculum links include the skeletal system and muscles....

This activity, suitable for a multi-lesson sequence or a single extended session, challenges students to design and prototype a simple motion-sensing alarm. The device is intended to prevent theft or the accidental picking-up of a bag.

Motion is sensed using the accelerometer built-in to the BBC micro:bit,...

These diagnostic questions and response activities (contained in the zip file) support students in being able to:

• Identify pairs of forces that are balanced or unbalanced.

• Calculate the size and direction of the resultant force of two forces acting along the same straight line....

A Year Ten module from the Salters’ double award GCSE science course. This module deals with interactions between species in ecosystems. Students are shown how stable conditions lead to a natural balance in populations and how human activities can disturb this balance....

With this simulation students can explore the conservation of mass and balance chemical equations. Sample learning objectives include: *Balance a chemical equation. *Recognize that the number of atoms of each element is conserved in a chemical reaction. Describe the difference between coefficients and subscripts in...

From the Centre for Science Education, and with support from Shell Education services, these materials help children to investigate forces and balance.

The materials contain a clown shape to colour in and cut out. The shape is then weighted with steel washers and balanced on a taut piece of string. Once...

This activity can be used to explore the relationship between shape and hydrodynamics (resistance).

Curriculum links include aerodynamics, resistance, forces, buoyancy and thrust. There are a number of useful links to...

From the Centre for Science Education, and with support from Shell Education services, these materials help children to investigate forces and motion.

A wide variety of buggies can be constructed and powered by a jet of air escaping from a balloon. Such a vehicle may run for a distance of 20 to 30 metres...

This resource from Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute is a practical, classroom activity that allows the students to make a balloon model of a disease-causing bacterium. This illustrates its basic shape and structure. Students can choose from three bacteria species...