Science teaching resources
Many organisations and associations provide teaching resources on their websites. The following have been divided into sections for quicker reference and offer a broad range of activities, resources and lesson plans — both printable and online.
Thematic approaches
Looking for a topical issue to tackle during your Science
lessons?
Resources showing how sustainable development themes such as energy and water can be applied to the science curriculum are available.
Teachers wishing to integrate ICT into their science lessons can find information on the National Curriculum in Action site. There are a few examples showing ICT in practice in class activities to give you some ideas.
Biology
ARKive
ARKive is a superb electronic archive of photos, sounds and moving images of
endangered species and habitats. The pictures and video clips are handy for
illustrating lessons.
BEEP (BioEthics Education Project)
This website has been developed to help teachers and students learn about
the difficult dilemmas that arise out of the modern applications of biology.
The site covers many topics with the content cross-linked to exam syllabus
specifications.
Chemistry
RSC (Royal Society of
Chemistry)
Find out about the range of activities for students that the RSC is involved
in.
whynotchemeng
This website is part of the Institution of Chemical Engineers and features a
citizenship in science lesson for Key Stage 4 which is fully resourced. The
area 'Future Life' looks at the challenges faced by chemical
engineers in the 21st century with the environment, water supplies and
clean energy solutions.
Physics
Online educational resources for physics teachers
An exhaustive table of online resources from atoms to waves.
PhysicsCentral
This is the website of the American Physical Society with news, projects, articles and
links to many online Physics resources.
Amusement Park Physics
How do physics laws affect amusement park ride design? This site invites
you to design your own roller coaster to pass a safety inspection. It also
offers experiments with bumper car collisions.
The Institute of Physics and the affiliated Practical Physics websites enable teachers of Physics to share their skills and experience of making experiments work in the classroom.
Resources covering more than one branch of science, and/or science as a general subject
The Association for Science
Education
Download Science Year CD-ROMs and other resources for chemistry and
physics.
The BA (British
Association for the Advancement of Science)
BA is dedicated to making science accessible to all. It organises National
Science Week and provides resources and event ideas. Visit this site for
inspiration for Science and Engineering Week 2007. BA also organises UK-wide
science events, searchable through the comprehensive database.
BBC
resources for Key Stages 1 to 4
This site offers lesson plans and worksheets.
BBC
revision material for Key Stage 3 National Tests
Support for teachers getting Year 9 pupils through tests, and revision notes
for students.
BBC SOS teacher
This site is aimed at pupils of Key Stages 2 to 4 and post-16, but is also
useful for teachers.
Challenge of materials
This is a colourful and highly interactive website that investigates uses of
materials, from how materials are selected on the basis of their properties for
inventions, to actual pictures from the Science Museum's exhibits.
Creationism and intelligent design
in the science curriculum (guidance)
Creationism and intelligent design are not part of the National Curriculum for
science, but there is scope for pupils to discuss creationism as part of
RE in developing their knowledge and understanding of Christianity, and
other religions. This guidance is therefore designed to clarify for teachers
the place of creationism and intelligent design within the National
Curriculum.
ecsite-uk
ecsite-uk, the Science and Discovery Centre Network, represents over 80
science centres in the UK and many other discovery centres in museums, botanic
gardens, aquariums and zoos.
English Heritage
The English Heritage site contains a wealth of information, downloadable
resources and interactive activities. Many of their sites have opportunities
for work in science.
The Essential Guide to Rocks
The BBC's Essential Guide to Rocks contains a fantastic animated,
interactive timeline describing the big bang, continental drift, fossil life
and rock formations.
FirstScience
This lively website features Science articles, weekly editorials
and news alongside quizzes, crosswords, video clips
and nature poems.
GCSE booster pack
This pack contains resources suitable for all GCSE students, but they are
particularly aimed at those who are predicted a grade D and need support to
achieve grade C at GCSE.
The
GLOBE programme
The GLOBE Programme is an international environmental education project that
encourages pupils to explore and measure their local areas and report their
findings over the internet. The programme links students and scientists in 104
countries.
Natural History Museum
The schools and colleges area of the Natural History Museum website provides
information for teachers planning a visit or workshop session. It is also
possible to download teacher guides and museum maps, and book visits
online.
Nuffield Curriculum Centre
The Centre explores new approaches to teaching and learning by developing,
managing and supporting curriculum projects, including science, for primary,
secondary and post-16 students.
Planet
Science
Access an innovative range of resources, games and quizzes aimed at under
11-year-olds, as well as encouraging post-16 students to continue with
science.
QCA
QCA offers a range of publication and web resources that support schools in
assessing pupils aged 3 to 19.
The
Royal Society
Find out about the society's work in promoting science education and
awareness.
The RSPCA
The RSPCA has produced a large number of curriculum-linked resources. Topics
range from Animals and the Law to Biodiversity. They are aimed at different age
groups and cover curriculum material for Key Stage 1 to 4. Many of these
resources are also available in Welsh.
Reviseguys
A site devised to aid with Key Stages 3 and 4 revision, Reviseguys offers
resources for registered users in science, chemistry, geography and also covers
environmental issues.
schoolscience
This site is packed with free online resources and information including notes
and worksheets in all areas of science for Key Stages 3 to 5.
Science
InsideOut
This website provides information about the programme of science events for
schools run by the Royal Institution. The events are packed with experiments
and demonstrations and offer pupils an excellent opportunity to experience the
reality of scientific discovery. The programme is designed to complement the
national curriculum.
Science Museum
The Science Museum website provides downloadable resources for curriculum
themes, as well as information to help plan a successful visit, and
classroom activities independent of a visit.
SciShop
SciShop is an online resource database designed to support teachers
and students in Key Stages 3 science.
Structural Concepts
A university website which aims to enhance the understanding of structural
concepts through using simple physical models and appropriate practical
examples.
TeacherNet's reviewed lesson plans
Read a lesson plan review before downloading it. The database contains over
2000 reviews on subjects across all levels and Key Stages.
Teacher Resource Exchange (TRE)
Teachers can post and access downloadable lesson plans and worksheets here.
Search tip: the database is large so best results are achieved using the
keyword search box, rather than browsing by subject and Key Stage.
Try Science
Fun, online activities and printable lesson ideas.
US
Geological Survey: Learning Web
This website provides a range of multimedia resources on topics such as
volcanoes, earthquakes, rocks and fossils, maps and caves. The lesson plans and
activities have been based on US national education standards.
Waste
Watch Recycle Zone
This website teaches about the 3Rs: reduce, reuse and recycle. With facts,
quizzes, a glossary, games and tips for recycling at home, this website makes
learning about this subject fun.
Don't forget you can also search for resources by
subject in TeacherNet's useful sites directory.
Last updated: 26 November 2008
