Drama: Growing Pains
A drama, in best pantomime tradition, that takes a humorous look at a serious subject - what plants need to grow. This resource is part of the ASE SYCD: Science Year Primary collection. The complete script of the play Growing Pains. The play is an extract from a CD that combines drama tips, science activities and set instructions…
Drama: Moon Lander
This resource, from the Association for Science Education (ASE), is a play script for students studying the Solar System. The play can be used as a stimulus for students to write their own scripts exploring other bodies in the Solar System. Written by teachers at Paddock Wood Primary School, Tonbridge, the play provides an introduction…
Global Solar Partners
This topic, from the Association for Science Education, allows classes in schools across the world to explore and exchange information about the applications of photovoltaic devices. The version of the topic that can be downloaded here is a trial version and is provided only in English. • Global Solar Partners is a unit developed…
Assembly: Mobile Phones
This assembly activity, provided by the Association for Science Education (ASE), focuses on the controversy surrounding mobile phones. The aim of the SYCD assembly series is to make students more aware of their need for scientific understanding in the world outside school.
Drama: Radioactivity
This resource, provided by the Association for Science Education (ASE), is a play about the history of radioactivity, and how we discovered its uses and dangers. It was written for students aged 14-16 years on the theme of ideas and evidence. Drama is very popular with students and can be used to stimulate discussion and debate.…
Ghost in the Machine
Solving mysteries is not just for the X-Files and other TV shows, it's science! In Ghost in the machine, a resource provided by the Association for Science Education (ASE), students are special agents investigating paranormal phenomena. It is a thrilling context for students to learn about electromagnetic induction, in order…
Drama: Collision Course
Collision Course is a comedy play from the Association for Science Education (ASE) and it involves spaceships, gods and the laws of physics! The play follows the attempt of spaceships to save the world from an incoming meteor despite the unintentional interference of the gods. Drama is very popular with students and can be used…
2/5- Publication year: 2000 - 2009
- Group work
Assembly: Science Fiction or Science Fact?
This assembly resource from the Association for Science Education (ASE) aims to take a light-hearted look at why some science fiction ideas become reality and others do not. The assembly emphasises the importance of a basic understanding of science, in order to enter into debate. This resource consists of a speech, which could be…
- 4/5
- Publication year: 2000 - 2009
- Group work
Science Trails
This resource consists of a pair of articles which appeared in ASE's School Science Review in June 1999 which describe outdoor activity trails. The first article is the Maths and Science Fun Trail at Appleby Castle. The trail, developed by the childrens' teachers, was aimed at stimulating enthusiasm for mathematics and…
Drama: The Plague at Eyam and The Discovery of Vaccines
These two drama scripts, from the Association for Science Education (ASE), can be used to stimulate discussion and debate. These activities can be developed as far as teachers like, including ideas for short role-plays in science classes or full school productions. The Plague at Eyam is a script for students to explore the true…
- 5/5
- Publication year: 2000 - 2009
- Group work
Healthy Chocolate
This Science upd8 resource revolves around the concepts of evidence and validity. A chocolate manufacturer claims its new, high cocoa bar is good for your heart. But is it? This is the context for teaching students how to evaluate evidence and the 'how science works' concept of validity. The activity is designed to take…
Mobiles for Kids?
This Science upd8 resource examines what proof there is that mobile telephones are harmful. Policy makers usually follow the precautionary principle. They issue warnings at the first hint of danger. Should we take their advice? In this discussion activity, students judge the risks and the strength of the evidence.
Homeopathy
In this Science upd8 activity students analyse information and evidence about homeopathy to decide whether it is based on scientific theory. They then choose the best arguments for and against homeopathy to decide whether they would use it, and whether it should be freely available to all.
Double Blind
This Science upd8 activity draws on clinical trials. Eight young volunteers had been in clinical trials before, but this time things went horribly wrong. Six of the eight were left fighting for their lives. In this discussion activity students consider whether new treatments should be ever tested on human volunteers.
- 5/5
- Publication year: 2000 - 2009
- Group work
Is Life a Dream?
This activity from Science upd8 is linked to the subject of the universe which seems just too perfect! Everything about it seems tailor-made to make sure humans would evolve. Could an advanced civilization have "fixed it" for us? Some top scientists think it's a serious possibility. In this discussion activity,…
Bulb Danger
This Science upd8 activity draws on a recent Government warning about poisonous mercury from low energy light bulbs being a risk to users. But is this risk worth the benefits of using low energy light bulbs? In this activity students rank risks and benefits to help them decide.
- 3/5
- Publication year: 2000 - 2009
- Group work
Stardust
This Science upd8 resource revolves around the topic of the universe. A mission brings space dust back from the tail of a comet. The dust may reveal secrets about the origins of the universe and life on Earth. Students must defend the mission's $200 million price tag and produce a graphic to support their talks.
Instant Ice-Cream
In this Science upd8 resource 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 flavours and quick freezing.
Sulphur
This Science upd8 activity focuses on sulphur, which is usually the element fingered for the blame when it comes to pollution. Students research sulphur to get the low down on this "Jekyll and Hyde" chemical; then act out a trial of the suspect element.