Free open educational resources from the University of Edinburgh to download and adapt for primary and secondary teaching.
Winner of the 2021 OEGlobal Awards for Excellence Open Curation Award for this collection of high quality student made OER on the TES platform.
Free open educational resources from the University of Edinburgh to download and adapt for primary and secondary teaching.
Winner of the 2021 OEGlobal Awards for Excellence Open Curation Award for this collection of high quality student made OER on the TES platform.
Kind Clothing is a project written for Girlguides, designed by Hannah Fieldsend. It aims to fit into the exciting and varied programme suited to inspire and challenge Girlguides ages 10-14. Any groups looking to achieve their ‘Global Awareness’ guiding essential can use Kind Clothing as part of their programme, and it covers topics such as Sustainability, Environmental Issues and Practical Skills.
It consists of three interactive sessions that introduce the idea of Fast Fashion and link it to the concepts of the environment and sustainability. Throughout the sessions there is an overarching project where the girlguides recycle a piece of clothing into a DIY drawstring bag.
Learning outcomes:
Girlguiding Programme
Session 1
Express myself: innovate, communicate
Session 2
Express myself: innovate, communicate
Skills for my future: live smart
Session 3
Know myself: reflect, network
Skills for my future: live smart
Take action: make change, influence
Scottish Curriculum for Excellence Learning Objectives:
Session 1
Literacy: LIT 2-07a, I can show my understanding of what I listen to or watch by responding to literal, inferential, evaluative and other types of questions, and by asking different kinds of questions of my own.
Environment: SOC 3-08a, I can identify the possible consequences of an environmental issue and make informed suggestions about ways to manage the impact.
Session 2
Planetary Processes: SCN 3-05b, I can explain some of the processes, which contribute to climate change and discuss the possible impact of atmospheric change on the survival of living things.
Environment: SOC 2-08a, I can discuss the environmental impact of human activity and suggest ways in which we can live in a more environmentally responsible way.
Session 3
People in Society: SOC 2-20a, Through exploring ethnical trading, I can understand how people’s basic needs are the same round the world, discussing why some societies are more able to meet these needs than others.
People in Society: SOC 3-19a, I can describe how the interdependence of countries affects levels of development, considering the effects on people’s lives.
This resource was created as part of the GeoScience Outreach Course which is a 4th year undergraduate course in the School of GeoSciences aiming to provide students with the opportunity to develop their own science communication and engagement project.
This resource was originally developed for girlguides, and was successfully run with a girlguide group.
Author: Hannah Fieldsend, adapted by Andrew Ferguson.
Unless otherwise stated, all content is released under a CC BY SA 4.0 license.
Four lessons giving an introduction to volcanoes and various aspects of geology: Volcano Experiments,
“The Debate to Save Heimaey”, Volcanic Eruption Research, and a Field Trip.
Educational Level 2 and 3
(SCN 2-17a, SCN 2-19a, SOC 2-07b, SOC 3-07a, TCH 2-02a, LIT 2-02a, EXA 2-14a)
This resource makes use of a variety of educational approaches to introduce learners to volcanoes and various aspects of geology. There are four lessons in this resource that lead on from one another.
Lesson 1: Introduction to Volcanos
Lesson 2: Eruption of Eldfell - The Debate to Save Heimaey
Lesson 3: Volcanic Eruption Research
Lesson 4: Arthur’s Seat Field Trip
Created as part of the School of Geosciences’ Outreach Programme, which allows students in their final year to work in partnership with a local school to develop a set of lesson plans.
Author: Isla Simmons
Unless otherwise stated all content is released under a CC-BY 4.0 license.
Cover image is: Fissure eruption in Holurhraun (Iceland), 13. September 2014 by Joschenbacher (Wikimedia), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Three lessons covering, adaptation, survival characteristics and the extinction of the woolly mammoth with comparison to living elephants. Includes presentation slides and student worksheet with answers.
Aimed at Level 2 (Biodiversity and interdependence, SCN 2-01a)
This resource bundle includes:
Lesson 1: Woolly mammoths and the ice age
Lesson 2: The pygmy mammoths
Lesson 3: Comparison of African elephant and the woolly mammoth
Created as part of the School of Geosciences’ Outreach Programme, which allows students in their final year to work in partnership with a local school to develop a set of lesson plans.
Author: Chloe Young, adapted by Cecily Plascott.
Unless otherwise stated all content is released under a CC-BY 4.0 license.
Cover image: Model of Mammuth primigenius at the Royal BC Museum by Iain Reid is licensed under CC-BY-SA-4.0.
A card game to develop HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills) using climate change in the Alps. Learners
discuss whether a fictional ski instructor should exchange his skis for bicycle wheels. Included in this
guide is ‘Meet the Scientists’, about the real climate scientists. For learners aged 11 to 14.
Educational Level 2 - 3
(SOC 2-12a, SOC 2-13a, SOC 2-14a, SCN 2-20b, SCN 2-20a, MLAN 2-09a, LIT 2-02a, LIT 2-08a, LIT 2-09a)
This resource includes:
A practitioner guide (PDF and Word versions)
Details about learning outcomes
Instructions on running the activities
Items to be printed off or photocopied to play the game
A Meet the Scientists section about the real climate scientists who are Richard Fromm, Jack
Schaeffer and Viktoria Engel.
Map board for playing the game on
Presentations
Presentation 1: Setting the Scene: an introduction to Germany, its language and Richard’s
dilemma.
Presentation 2: “Where is that place?” - Map skills
Presentation 3: How to play the Board Game Help Richard decide if he should exchange his
skis for bicycle wheels.
This resource was created as part of the School of GeoScience Outreach.
Author: Kay Douglas.
Unless otherwise stated, all content is released under a CC BY 4.0 license.
Cover image is Aerial tramway La Grave France by NielsB (Wikimedia commons), licensed under CC-BY-SA-3.0.
A power point resource for teachers of biology, geography and environmental science for pupils studying at Advanced Higher (AS-Level, and above), and early FE/HE levels.
Of use for helping to achieve a basic understanding of the different terms used to describe data and variables commonplace in literature on the internet. It complements the Geoscience Guides (https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/guide-to-descriptive-statistics-in-geosciences-11308746).
Overview:
This is a package for one lesson for the 3rd and 4th level (S1&2) students to develop knowledge and understanding about climate change through a variety of group activities. The lesson starts with a daily topic of weather, leading students to learn the differences between weather and climate and the effects of climate change, such as extreme weather. Then, students are invited to develop climate graph-reading skills and an understanding of the greenhouse effect and greenhouse gases.
This resource was originally developed as part of the Geosciences Outreach Course at the University of Edinburgh then re-adapted for use as an Open Educational Resource (OER) by OER Service, the Information Services Group at the University. As an OER, teachers are welcome to make any changes to their resources according to their needs.
Learning Outcomes:
• I can define weather as what is happening outside right now.
• I can explain that climate is the average of all the weather that has happened in a region over more than 30 years.
• I can recognise that rapid global warming is causing the climate to change.
• I can infer that global warming is causing extreme weather like excessive rain, more hurricanes, extreme heat, cold and drought.
• I can interpret and extract information from climate graphs.
• I can explain the greenhouse effect is like a blanket that prevents heat escaping causing the Earth to warm up.
• I can name some of the (greenhouse) gases causing global warming, for example, carbon dioxide, methane, or water vapour.
• I can illustrate and model the chemical structure of the different greenhouse gases.
Experiences and Outcomes:
LIT 3-10a, LIT 4-10a, MNU 4-20a, SOC 3-12a, SOC 4-12a, SCN 3-05b
‘Weather, Climate and Global Warming’ was developed by Kay Douglas and Katherine Taylor, adapted by Mayu Ishimoto, and is available under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 unless otherwise stated.
Header: The 1980-2015 seasonal cycle anomaly in MERRA2 along with the 95% uncertainties on the estimate of the mean, 2024 June, Goddarf Space Flight Centre NASA, in accordance with NASA Media Usage Guidelines.
‘Investigating Edinburgh’s Geological Past’ is created for learners aged 12-14 at the S2 level from the University of Edinburgh’s GeoScience Outreach Course. It introduces basic ideas of geology, such as geological time, rocks and fossils, and geological skills. It consists of five lessons (sessions) including a field trip to Holyrood Park for the Session 3, and the Session 5 can be taught as a standalone lesson as well. Throughout the five sessions, learners are encouraged to explore the rich geological heritage of Edinburgh and to develop a range of skills to determine what the past environment of Edinburgh was like. The resource has been created as an Interdisciplinary Learning (IDL) resource, primarily between Geography and Science with relevant English skills. It will encourage students to integrate the knowledge and skills they have learnt from different subjects and use them to approach a subject that may be new to them.
This session introduces three different rock types and their formation to students, followed by a hands-on activity in observing and describing rocks. The pack includes a set of slides in Powerpoint and PDF formats and worksheets in Word.docx and PDF formats, along with a Teacher’s guide to help teachers run a class with the slides.
Links to the accompanying sessions:
One: Rock Descriptions (this session): Teaching and demonstration of three different rock types and their formation, followed by a hands-on activity in describing rocks.
Two: Carboniferous Edinburgh and Fieldwork Preparation: Exploring the Carboniferous environment using BGS poster; Preparation for the field trip by writing aims and hypothesis and practising field sketches.
Three: Holyrood Park Field Trip: Field trip to Holyrood Park to visit Camstone Quarry (Sandstones and past environments) and The Dasses (intrusive igneous rocks, cooling rates and erosion).
Four: Reconstructing Past Environments: Group work using Evidence Packs and field trip observations to determine what the environment during the Carboniferous period was like. Students to write a postcard to consolidate this knowledge as a picture and in text.
Five: Edinburgh in 100 years’ Time: Consideration of different development pressures on Holyrood Park in the future. Students work in groups to present a proposed development.
Experiences and Outcomes of this session:
SCN3-17a: Through evaluation of a range of data, I can describe the formation, characteristics and uses of soils, minerals and basic types of rocks.
‘Investigating Edinburgh’s Geological Past’ was created by Jenny Ridout, adapted into an OER by Mayu Ishimoto. The resource is available under a Creative Commons AttributionShareAlike 4.0 license unless otherwise stated.
Header Image Attribution: Arthur’s Seat by Jenny Ridout, 2023, CC BY-SA.
‘Investigating Edinburgh’s Geological Past’ is created for learners aged 12-14 at the S2 level from the University of Edinburgh’s GeoScience Outreach Course. It introduces basic ideas of geology, such as geological time, rocks and fossils, and geological skills. Throughout the five sessions, learners are encouraged to explore the rich geological heritage of Edinburgh and to develop a range of skills to determine what the past environment of Edinburgh was like. The resource has been created as an Interdisciplinary Learning (IDL) resource, primarily between Geography and Science with relevant English skills. It will encourage students to integrate the knowledge and skills they have learnt from different subjects and use them to approach a subject that may be new to them.
This session explores the Carboniferous environment using BGS and prepares students for the field trip by writing aims and hypothesis and practising field sketches. The pack includes a set of slides in Powerpoint and PDF formats and worksheets in Word.docx and PDF formats, along with a Teacher’s guide to help teachers run a class with the slides.
Links to the accompanying sessions:
One: Rock Descriptions: Teaching and demonstration of three different rock types and their formation, followed by a hands-on activity in describing rocks.
Two: Carboniferous Edinburgh and Fieldwork Preparation (this session): Exploring the Carboniferous environment using BGS poster; Preparation for the field trip by writing aims and hypothesis and practising field sketches.
Three: Holyrood Park Field Trip: Field trip to Holyrood Park to visit Camstone Quarry (Sandstones and past environments) and The Dasses (intrusive igneous rocks, cooling rates and erosion).
Four: Reconstructing Past Environments: Group work using Evidence Packs and field trip observations to determine what the environment during the Carboniferous period was like. Students to write a postcard to consolidate this knowledge as a picture and in text.
Five: Edinburgh in 100 years’ Time: Consideration of different development pressures on Holyrood Park in the future. Students work in groups to present a proposed development.
Experiences and Outcomes of this session:
SOC 3‐14a: I can use a range of maps and geographical information systems to gather, interpret and present conclusions and can locate a range of features within Scotland, UK, Europe and the wider world.
‘Investigating Edinburgh’s Geological Past’ was created by Jenny Ridout, adapted into an OER by Mayu Ishimoto. The resource is available under a Creative Commons AttributionShareAlike 4.0 license unless otherwise stated.
Header Image Attribution: Arthur’s Seat by Jenny Ridout, 2023, CC BY-SA.
‘Investigating Edinburgh’s Geological Past’ is created for learners aged 12-14 at the S2 level, introducing basic geological ideas and skills and encouraging learners to explore the rich geological heritage of Edinburgh. (for a full description of this OER series, see the Session One description, with a link in a section below)
This session is a field trip to Holyrood Park to observe sandstones at Camstone Quarry and igneous rocks at “The Dasses” to learn about past environments and how rocks form and erode, by means of hands-on activities. The pack includes a student workbook in Word.docx and PDF formats, along with a Teacher’s guide to help teachers run a class with the slides.
Links to the accompanying sessions:
One: Rock Descriptions: Teaching and demonstration of three different rock types and their formation, followed by a hands-on activity in describing rocks.
Two: Carboniferous Edinburgh and Fieldwork Preparation: Exploring the Carboniferous environment using BGS poster; Preparation for the field trip by writing aims and hypothesis and practising field sketches.
Three: Holyrood Park Field Trip (this session): Field trip to Holyrood Park to visit Camstone Quarry (Sandstones and past environments) and The Dasses (intrusive igneous rocks, cooling rates and erosion).
Four: Reconstructing Past Environments: Group work using Evidence Packs and field trip observations to determine what the environment during the Carboniferous period was like. Students to write a postcard to consolidate this knowledge as a picture and in text.
Five: Edinburgh in 100 years’ Time: Consideration of different development pressures on Holyrood Park in the future. Students work in groups to present a proposed development.
Experiences and Outcomes of this session:
SOC 3-07a: Having investigated processes which form and shape landscapes I can explain their impact on selected landscapes in Scotland, Europe and beyond.
SCN3-17a: Through evaluation of a range of data, I can describe the formation, characteristics and uses of soils, minerals and basic types of rocks.
MNU 3-11a: I can solve practical problems by applying my knowledge of measure, choosing the appropriate units and degree of accuracy for the task and using a formula to calculate area or volume when required.
‘Investigating Edinburgh’s Geological Past’ was created by Jenny Ridout, adapted into an OER by Mayu Ishimoto. The resource is available under a Creative Commons AttributionShareAlike 4.0 license unless otherwise stated.
Header Image Attribution: Arthur’s Seat by Jenny Ridout, 2023, CC BY-SA.
‘Investigating Edinburgh’s Geological Past’ is an Interdisciplinary Learning (IDL) resource created for learners aged 12-14 at the S2 level from the University of Edinburgh’s GeoScience Outreach Course. It introduces basic geological knowledge and skills. Throughout the five sessions, learners are encouraged to explore the rich geological heritage of Edinburgh and to develop a range of skills to determine what the past environment of Edinburgh was like.
This session consists of group work using an Evidence Pack and observations from the field trip during the previous session to determine what the environment during the Carboniferous period was like. Students are also encouraged to consolidate this knowledge as a picture and in text by the postcard writing activity. The pack includes ‘Evidence Pack’ in Word.docx and PDF formats, along with a Teacher’s guide to help teachers run a class with the slides.
Links to the accompanying sessions:
One: Rock Descriptions: Teaching and demonstration of three different rock types and their formation, followed by a hands-on activity in describing rocks.
Two: Carboniferous Edinburgh and Fieldwork Preparation: Exploring the Carboniferous environment using BGS poster; Preparation for the field trip by writing aims and hypothesis and practising field sketches.
Three: Holyrood Park Field Trip: Field trip to Holyrood Park to visit Camstone Quarry (Sandstones and past environments) and The Dasses (intrusive igneous rocks, cooling rates and erosion).
Four: Reconstructing Past Environments (this session): Group work using Evidence Packs and field trip observations to determine what the environment during the Carboniferous period was like. Students to write a postcard to consolidate this knowledge as a picture and in text.
Five: Edinburgh in 100 years’ Time: Consideration of different development pressures on Holyrood Park in the future. Students work in groups to present a proposed development.
Experiences and Outcomes of this session:
SOC 3-07a: Having investigated processes which form and shape landscapes I can explain their impact on selected landscapes in Scotland, Europe and beyond.
SCN3-17a: Through evaluation of a range of data, I can describe the formation, characteristics and uses of soils, minerals and basic types of rocks.
ENG 3-27a /ENG 4-27a: I can engage and/or influence readers through my use of language, style and tone as appropriate to genre.
‘Investigating Edinburgh’s Geological Past’ was created by Jenny Ridout, adapted into an OER by Mayu Ishimoto. The resource is available under a Creative Commons AttributionShareAlike 4.0 license unless otherwise stated.
Header Image Attribution: Arthur’s Seat by Jenny Ridout, 2023, CC BY-SA.
‘Investigating Edinburgh’s Geological Past’ is an Interdisciplinary Learning (IDL) resource created for learners aged 12-14 at the S2 level from the University of Edinburgh’s GeoScience Outreach Course. It introduces basic ideas of geology, such as geological time, rocks and fossils, and geological skills. It consists of five lessons (sessions) including a field trip to Holyrood Park for the Session 3, and the Session 5 can be taught as a standalone lesson as well. Throughout the five sessions, learners are encouraged to explore the rich geological heritage of Edinburgh and to develop a range of skills to determine what the past environment of Edinburgh was like.
The pack includes a set of slides in Powerpoint and PDF formats and worksheets in Word.docx and PDF formats, along with a Teacher’s guide to help teachers run a class with the slides.
Links to the accompanying sessions:
One: Rock Descriptions: Teaching and demonstration of three different rock types and their formation, followed by a hands-on activity in describing rocks.
Two: Carboniferous Edinburgh and Fieldwork Preparation: Exploring the Carboniferous environment using BGS poster; Preparation for the field trip by writing aims and hypothesis and practising field sketches.
Three: Holyrood Park Field Trip: Field trip to Holyrood Park to visit Camstone Quarry (Sandstones and past environments) and The Dasses (intrusive igneous rocks, cooling rates and erosion).
Four: Reconstructing Past Environments: Group work using Evidence Packs and field trip observations to determine what the environment during the Carboniferous period was like. Students to write a postcard to consolidate this knowledge as a picture and in text.
Five: Edinburgh in 100 years’ Time (this session): Consideration of different development pressures on Holyrood Park in the future. Students work in groups to present a proposed development.
Experiences and Outcomes of this session:
SOC 3‐08a: I can identify the possible consequences of an environmental issue and make informed suggestions about ways to manage the impact.
LIT 3-29a: I can persuade, argue, evaluate, explore issues or express an opinion using a clear line of thought, relevant supporting detail and/or evidence.
‘Investigating Edinburgh’s Geological Past’ was created by Jenny Ridout, adapted into an OER by Mayu Ishimoto. The resource is available under a Creative Commons AttributionShareAlike 4.0 license unless otherwise stated.
Header Image Attribution: Arthur’s Seat by Jenny Ridout, 2023, CC BY-SA.
A power point resource for teachers of biology, geography and environmental science for pupils studying at Advanced Higher, ( AS-Level, and above), and early FE/HE levels.
Of use for helping to achieve a basic understanding and application of the ‘spread of data’ in fieldwork, assignments and examination questions. It complements the Guide to Descriptive Statistics in Geosciences (https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/guide-to-descriptive-statistics-in-geosciences-11308746).
This resource helps Primary School pupils learn about tree identification, their benefits, and biodiversity through two interactive card games.
Background:
The resource was originally developed for local P7 pupils in Edinburgh, based on an OER (Open Educational Resource) by Erica Zaja https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/identifying-british-trees-lesson-packs-12701457 and https://open.ed.ac.uk/identifying-british-trees/ as part of the Geoscience Outreach Course at the University of Edinburgh.
Overview and How to Make Use of This Resource:
While this resource is designed for a 45-minute class for P7 at a local primary school in Edinburgh, it is highly flexible and can easily be adapted by teachers. The resource includes two videos and “Development Plan” slides, to make the class interactive and discussion-based, as well as two games to help pupils learn about trees and their benefits. Teachers can choose to leave the Edinburgh-based lesson materials and to create their own or use the resource fully to prompt discussion in the classroom. The games include tree species common in Scotland, but teachers can also add other species as our PowerPoint slides are easily adaptable.
Objectives:
By the end of the session, learners should be able to:
Recall some facts about common trees (Bloom’s ‘Remember’)
Identify common trees in Scotland by leaf and tree shape (Bloom’s ‘Understand’)
Interpret the importance of trees in Scotland (Bloom’s ‘Apply’)
Justify why trees should not be cut down (Bloom’s ‘Evaluate’)
Experiences and Outcomes:
SCN 2-01a – I can identify and classify examples of living things, past and present, to help me appreciate their diversity. I can relate physical and behavioural characteristics to their survival or extinction.
SCN 2-02b – Through carrying out practical activities and investigations, I can show how plants have benefited society.
LIT 2-25a - I can use my notes and other types of writing to help me understand information and ideas, explore problems, make decisions, generate and develop ideas or create new text.
**This Pack Includes: **
• Introduction/Development Plan Slides (a copy used in the first video, pptx/pdf)
• Tree Matching Cards (pptx/pdf)
• Tree Board Game Cards and Board Template (pptx/pdf)
• Tree Counters (word docx/pdf)
• Tree ID Worksheet (word docx/pdf)
• Tree Benefits Worksheet (word docx/pdf)
• Guide for the Resource (this document)
• How to Play the Games (word docx/pdf)
• Links to two Videos from Mr. Frederick (See details in the Lesson Plan section below)
Author: Erica Zaja, Frederick Madsen, Kay Douglas, adapted by Mayu Ishimoto, 2024, the University of Edinburgh.
The Resource is under CC BY-SA license unless otherwise stated.
This interdisciplinary STEM resource on Climate Change has three to four sessions seeking out what practical steps pupils and their family can take to mitigate the effects of climate change. (Involves STEM Challenges.)
Activity 1 is a broad introduction to climate change, its causes, effects and solutions at the individual level.
Activity 2 discusses the concept of ecological footprint and is based on a practical workshop on upcycling.
Activity 3 applies a simplified version of the scientific research method to measure the impact of our actions.
Activity 4 is an optional showcase with scientific posters.
Educational Information
This resource provides material for the Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) Experiences and Outcomes in Technology, Numeracy and Mathematics, Literacy and English. An interdisciplinary approach to the concept of Ecological and Carbon Footprint is adopted with the aim of shaping pupils’ sense of responsibility and awareness of the impact of our daily actions on our planet.
The resource comprises four activities (including STEM), each lasting within the range of 60-80 minutes. A so-called “Gift to the Earth” challenge requires pupils to record their daily commitment to reducing their carbon footprint and creates the link between each activity.
Learning Outcomes covered:
Technology
Technology TCH 2-06a: I can analyse how lifestyles can impact on the environment and Earth’s resources and can make suggestions about how to live in a more sustainable way.
Technology TCH 2-07a: I can make suggestions as to how individuals and organizations may use technologies to support sustainability and reduce the impact on our environment.
Technology TCH 2-09a: I can extend and enhance my design skills to solve problems and can construct models.
Numeracy and Mathematics
Numeracy MNU 2-20b: I have carried out investigations and surveys, devising and using a variety of methods to gather information and have worked with others to collate, organise and communicate the results in an appropriate way.
Mathematics MTH 2-21a: I can display data in a clear way using a suitable scale, by choosing appropriately from an extended range of tables, charts, diagrams and graphs, making effective use of technology.
Literacy and English
Literacy and English LIT 2-09a: When listening and talking with others for different purposes, I can: share information, experiences and opinions; explain processes and ideas; identify issues raised and summarise main points or findings; clarify points by asking questions or by asking others to say more.
This Meteorological Observation Guide has been written as part of a NERC (Natural Environment Research Council) Research Experience Placement carried out in the School of GeoSciences, The University of Edinburgh.
Aimed at National 5 to Higher.
The aim of the research project was to investigate specific aspects of how global climate change affects the climate of Britain.
There are two main aims to this project:
1. Conduct visibility observations from Blackford Hill in Edinburgh, observing to see whether in times of anti-cyclonic weather, pollution build up in the atmosphere reduces the observed visibility.
2. Analysis of historical climate models to see how the frequency of anti-cyclones over the UK has changed due to anthropogenic climate change.
This guide is part of the former section. The procedure that follows is the procedure used over the period of the project, and the Blackford Hill example used is the actual visibility observation that was conducted.
This element of the project is transferable to other locations with a suitable vantage point. The work can be carried out by a class group or as part of a specific scientific project for senior pupils.
Author: James Holehouse
Unless otherwise stated all content is released under a CC-BY 4.0 license
Keywords: Anti-cyclonic weather; Meteorological Visibility Observations; hill; Climate Change; Weather; Climate
Cover image is The view over the City of Edinburgh looking towards the north from Blackford Hill by Brian Cameron, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Properties and uses of substances, Earth’s Materials, People Place & Environment
This mini resource comprises 2 sessions (or one afternoon).
Session 1 uses songs to name and locate the continents, oceans and Pacific Ring of Fire.
Session 2 involves a reaction of vinegar and bicarbonate of soda to mimic a volcanic eruption.
Session 1 is PowerPoint presentation, giving general background on the World Map and names and locations of the continents, oceans and by inference the Pacific Ring of Fire. Despite being ppt based, you can make it interactive and even sing along with the songs. A consolidation worksheet is included to label the world map.
Session 2 is a practical activity/demonstration. It involves using the chemical reaction (neutralisation) of bicarbonate of soda and vinegar. These react together to form carbon dioxide (CO2). Carbon dioxide is the fizzy gas in ‘pop’. Adding washing up liquid and tomato ketchup to the mix allows for red CO2 bubbles from the mouth of the small drinks bottle. A copy and complete exercise can be copied from the second half of the PowerPoint.
Learning outcomes:
Sciences - Biodiversity and interdependence
SCN 2-15a: ‘By contributing to investigations into familiar changes in substances to produce other substances, I can describe how their characteristics have changed.’ and the explanatory benchmark, ‘Observes and identifies some of the signs of a chemical reaction, for example, production of bubbles, colour/texture change and heat given out/taken in.’
SCN 2-17a ‘Having explored the substances that make up Earth’s surface, I can compare some of their characteristics and uses‘
Social Studies - People, place, and environment
SOC 2-07b: ‘I can describe the physical processes of a natural disaster and discuss its impact on people and the landscape and the explanatory benchmark ‘the explanatory benchmark ‘Describes the causes of a natural disaster such as a volcano, earthquake or extreme weather event’.
Author: Kay Douglas of The University of Edinburgh, 2019.
Unless otherwise stated, all content is released under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
This interdisciplinary approach using STEM/ STE(A)M subjects involves the learners being ‘hooked’ by a plea from the head of their Council to design a new school sustainably. Ideas of fair trading and fair testing are explored in the resource.
This resource comprises five sessions: auditing your school’s current sustainable features, learning about fair trading using:
a maths building game,
designing and then
making a sustainable school t-shirt (fast fashion)
building a windmill with easy materials
applying the fair test principle in which scenario the windmill works better.
This resource includes:
• A teacher block overview for the five sessions (Auditing your School’s sustainability, Fair Trade building, Sustainable School Clothing, Building Wind turbines, Fair test on a wind turbine)
• Learner log-book (learner planning sheet)
• Teacher guide for each session with any associated material (worksheet for lesson 1, ppt slide for lesson 2)
• Learner ‘hook’ letters (This can be customised to your situation)
Learning outcomes in the Curriculum for Excellence
TCH 2-02b, TCH 2-04b, TCH 2-06a, TCH 2-07a, TCH 2-09a, MNU 2-10b, MNU 2-20b, MTH 2-16c, SCN 2-04a, SCN 2-20b, SOC 2-08a, SOC 2-20a, EXA 2-06a, LIT 2-02a, LIT 2-07a.
Sustainable schools – an IDL STEM design challenge, has been created as a teaching resource for the City of Edinburgh Council’s ‘Curiosity Club’, an Intervention Strategy initiative, aimed at promoting regular attendance in primary schools.
This resource was created as part of the GeoScience Outreach Course, which is a 4th year undergraduate course in the School of GeoSciences aiming to provide students with the opportunity to develop their own science communication and engagement project.
Author: Nicole Campbell, adapted by Kay Douglas and Charlie Farley.
Unless otherwise stated, all content is released under a CC-BY-SA 4.0 license.
Sustainability and Conservation is a relaxed and fun way to engage students in sustainability and conservation subjects. The topics of wildlife, nature art, habitat loss, scientific methods and waste and pollution are covered. Hands on activities the learners enable the learners to apply these themes into their daily lives by exploring nature. Through five workshops they will become ambassadors of conservation and sustainability and will be able to teach their family and friends about it.
In case of rainy days or inaccessibility to outdoor areas ‘Plan B’s’ have been created: games modified to limited indoor areas. There is a section on additional information, this provides online links to websites and reports that are related to the resource’s subject areas.
Learning outcomes:
Art and Design
EXA 2-02a: I have the opportunity to choose and explore an extended range of media and technologies to create images and objects, comparing and combining them for specific tasks.
Sciences - Biodiversity and interdependence:
SCN 2-01a: I can identify and classify examples of living things, past and present, to help me appreciate their diversity. I can relate physical and behavioural characteristics to their survival or extinction.
SCN 2-02a: I have contributed to the design or conservation of a wildlife area.
Sciences - Topical Sciences:
SCN 2-20b: I can report and comment on current scientific news items to develop my knowledge and understanding of topical science.
Social Studies – People, place and environment
SOC 2-08a: I can describe the major characteristic features of Scotland’s landscape and explain how these are formed.
SOC 2-08b: I can describe the physical processes of a natural disaster and discuss its impact on people and the landscape.
This resource was created as part of the GeoScience Outreach Course which is a 4th year undergraduate course in the School of GeoSciences aiming to provide students with the opportunity to develop their own science communication and engagement project.
Author: Moa Bell, adapted by Andrew Ferguson.
Unless otherwise stated, all content is released under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
An eight-part project about sea level change since the ice age. Covers glaciation, global warming and isostasy. Includes lesson plans, presentations, workbooks and a template for a timeline poster to illustrate the content of the eight sessions.
Educational Level 3 & 4
(SCN 2.05, 3.05a, 3.05b, 2.17a, 3.20b, 4.08b, SOC 2.07a, 3.07a, 4.07a, 2.08a, 3.08a)
This resource bundle includes pdf and editable versions of the following:
Lesson plan
Learning context
Part 1: Introducing the Ice Age
Part 2: Finding Evidence for the Ice Age
Part 3: The Ice Age and sea-level change
Part 4: Coming out of the Ice Age
Part 5: Introducing isostasy
Part 6: Isostasy and sea-level change
Part 7: Current sea-level change
Part 8: The impacts of current sea-level change
Presentations
Lesson slides
Isostatic uplift
Timeline display
Timeline components
Student workbook (and version with model answers)
Photograph sets and question sets
This resource was created as part of the GeoScience Outreach Course which is a 4th year undergraduate course in the School of GeoSciences aiming to provide students with the opportunity to develop their own science communication and engagement project. This resource was originally created for Boroughmuir High School
Author: Roseanne Smith, adapted by Stephanie (Charlie) Farley and Martin Tasker.
Unless otherwise stated, all content released under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Cover image is Getz Ice Shelf by NASA/Dick Ewers, licensed under CC0.