Think BIG
This Science upd8 activity illustrates practical applications of classroom science in the context of using sustainable building materials, and highlights several related various career routes. Students become members of a consultancy firm which specialises in sustainable building projects. They have to use their knowledge of…
In the Limelight
This Science upd8 activity engages students in the practical applications of colour mixing used in stage set design. In the scenario students act as the expert making recommendations to an international awards show, the ‘The International Music Awards.’ This resource is based on the work of the British design agency,…
One of Our Scientists Is Missing
This Science upd8 activity offers an opportunity to test students' understanding of the solar system, and their skills as independent enquirers, problem solvers and effective communicators. Students are part of an earth-bound team set the task of interpreting a range of data relating to the solar system/universe. This team includes…
Polar Bears in Trouble
In this Science upd8 activity students take on the role of a trainee documentary producer working for an environmental channel. The television programme scenario, ‘Bears in Trouble’, explores how rising temperatures in the Arctic could be endangering the survival of polar bears. Polar bears seem perfectly adapted to the…
Death of an Angel
In this Science upd8 activity students take on the role of forensic science technicians who are acting as expert witnesses for the murder of Angel. Students analyse blood splatter patterns to check whether the murder weapon used was a hammer. They also watch a demonstration of a blood viscosity test to check whether the time of death…
Instant Ice-Cream
In this Science upd8 activity students take on the role of a marketeer trying to sell a new instant ice-cream vending machine. They use PowerPoint’s simple animation features and a gallery of images to explain the science behind the process of mixing flavour and quick freezing.
Accident and Emergency
In this Science upd8 activity students take on the role of a hospital Family Liaison Officer. They carry out research around cells, tissues and organs and then explain a patient's injuries using this knowledge. The activity can help to broaden students' ideas about careers in medicine.
The Mystery of the Levitating Train
In this Science upd8 activity students use their understanding of simple circuits, electricity and magnetism to diagnose and fix problems with the running of a magnetic train in a theme park.
Is it Terminal for Teflon?
This Science upd8 resource focuses on the chemical PFOA (perflurooctanoic acid), which is used in Teflon manufacture and is reportedly linked with an increase in the risk of developing allergies. In this activity students examine some of the evidence surrounding PFOA and consider a range of viewpoints.
Brain Power Booster
This Science upd8 activity investigates the claim that taking fish oil every day boosts students' school performance. The original study had no control. In this activity, students plan how to get more evidence on the effects of fish oils.
New Womb?
US doctors are planning the world's first ever womb transplant. In this Science upd8 activity, students become an NHS ethics and funding committee. They consider ethical arguments and decide whether or not the NHS should fund non-vital transplants, like those of wombs, hands and faces.
Cheat
The Science upd8 activity introduces the concept of validity in the design of scientific experiments. Based on the card game 'Cheat', the scenario is a scientific conference where scientists are learning about, and criticising, each others' work. Students have a series of cards which contain different claims and they…
Charge!
This resource from Science upd8 looks into examples of electronic equipment such as: mobiles, cameras and music players which all require their own chargers. Instead of each device needing its own charger, we may soon be able to recharge them just by putting them on a plastic-coated pad the size of a mouse mat. In this activity,…
Einstein Flip
This activity from Science upd8 focuses on physicist Helen Czerski who, in order to celebrate Einstein year in 2005, worked out a new bike stunt. It involved a BMX rider performing a full-loop against gravity using curved surfaces to go upside-down. This activity communicates the excitement of physics and how forces, acceleration,…
Earth 2
This Science upd8 resource is set in the context of astronomy. Astronomers have found the most Earth-like planet outside our Solar System. Through analysing data students justify whether or not they believe the 'new' planet to be Earth-like.
5/5- Publication year: 2000 - 2009
- Activity sheet
Pluto: a Planet No More
In this Science upd8 resource students study data on planets, dwarf planets and moons before devising their own criteria for classifying a solar system body. They examine the reasons for the relegation of Pluto.
Santa 2025
Santa may decide to move to another planet! In this fun activity from Science upd8 students analyse planetary data to find which planet best satisfies Santa's future requirements.
Sputnik at 50
This Science upd8 activity draws on the 1957 launch of the satellite Sputnik 1 which heralded a new stage in human exploration and prompted the development of rockets in the Space Race. In this role play, students consider the benefits and costs of space exploration.
Addicted to Energy
In this activity from Science upd8 students think about carbon footprints and which goods and services cause the biggest carbon dioxide emissions. What choices can be made to minimise emissions? This topical activity helps the student to make informed choices regarding the carbon dioxide emissions of a range of goods and services…
Planet Hunter
The Science upd8 activity set in the context of the universe. Earlier missions failed to find life on other planets. Is it still worth looking? Can we justify the expense of the search for extra terrestrial intelligence? Students will be deciding just how likely intelligent life elsewhere in the galaxy is.
Fake
In this Science upd8 activity students use chemical techniques and reactions to investigate a crime scene. Students learn about the particle model to solve a crime that has been committed in an art gallery. They compare ways to show fingerprints including using the sublimation of iodine.
Pirates Treasure Mystery
This Science upd8 activity is inspired by the film Pirates of the Caribbean. What are the contents of the treasure chest? What metal is the key made of? What happened to the treasure after decades under the sea?
CSI 5/11 - Murder in the Park
In this Science upd8 activity students perform a CSI investigation to find the murderer in the park on Guy Fawkes' Night. They encounter a variety of science on the way, from rocket science to electron energy levels. They learn how those colour-giving electrons that make fireworks so much fun, fit into the atoms that make…
What's Moving on Titan?
This Science upd8 activity draws on Titan which is the biggest of Saturn's moons. There are two student activities; one involves labelling a diagram to tell students on Earth about the nature of Titan. The other asks students to take the role of Titanian space explorers and use data to compare the solids, liquids and gases on…
Making Rain
Can we solve the problem of summer water shortages by making rain? In this Science upd8 activity students learn about the significance of droplet size in natural rain formation. They then look at Chinese experiences of 'cloud seeding' before annotating a graphic to show how it works.
Death of an Angel
In this Science upd8 activity students take on the role of forensic science technicians who are acting as expert witnesses for the murder of Angel. By analysing blood splatter patterns, they check whether the murder weapon used was a hammer. They also watch a demonstration of a blood viscosity test to check whether the time of death…
- 5/5
- Publication year: 2000 - 2009
- Presentation
Cyclone
This Science upd8 resource draws on cyclone Sidr which hit Bangladesh in November 2007. Millions were left homeless and 3,000 people were killed. The activity asks students to look at how cyclones happen and addresses the common misconception that air is 'nothing' and weightless.
Kidney Stones
This resource from Science upd8 revolves around the subject of kidney stones. Dehydration can cause excruciating pain from kidney stones. This activity stimulates discussion through a stunning image of a vicious-looking kidney stone. Students apply their knowledge of saturated solutions and crystallisation to find out how it formed.
Boys, Girls and Chimps
This Science upd8 activity draws on research which shows that young female chimps learn survival skills faster and more effectively than males. Their sex-based learning differences are similar to those of humans! In this activity students look at research evidence and decide whether learning differences are the result of inherited…
Life on Mars?
In this activity from Science upd8 students study information about environmental conditions on Mars and then create an imaginary Martian life form. What will its features be? How does its features help it to survive?
Firstborns Get the Brains?
This Science upd8 resource draws on research showing that the child raised as the eldest in a family is likely to have a higher IQ than their siblings. The reasons for this advantage are not yet clear. In this activity students come up with creative explanations and plan how to collect evidence to test them.
King Tut's Face
In this Science upd8 activity students look at how Tutankhamun's body was preserved and how scientists used information from CT scans to form 3-D images and reconstruct his face.