Total Darkness is a web-based game which can be played for free on any browser: https://totaldarkness.sciencemuseum.org.uk Total Darkness uses digital storytelling to help children recognise how the skills they have and use everyday are useful to STEM. When developing the game, we undertook a huge amount of research to make sure it was based on SMG’s approach towards informal science learning – what we call science capital. Science capital is all about helping people see that science is a subject beyond the classroom, part of everyday life and something everyone can be part of and do. Learning outcomes: Recognise using scientific skills like asking questions, team work, finding and using evidence, communication, creative problem solving, curiosity Understand the relevance and usefulness of science skills in our everyday lives Make a personal connection with a science experience

Taking apart gadgets such as a travel alarm clock, disposable camera, headphones, propelling pencil or a TV remote control is a great way to explore beneath the surface of objects, to find out and question how something works or how it was made. Learning Outcomes: - Investigate the design, function and properties materials that are used in the engineering of everyday objects - Use observation and questioning skills - Recognise that properties of different materials is useful and applied to everything we use in our lives Curriculum Links: KS2 Science: Properties and changes of materials KS3 Science: Working scientifically

The simple pinball machine in this Science Museum activity is made from a cardboard box, with ice lolly sticks as the flippers. It provides a great opportunity to explore the science of forces and motion. Game on! Learning Outcomes: - Investigate simple mechanisms and Newton’s Laws of Motion - Use observation, curiosity and creative problem solving skills - See how levers and simple mechanisms have useful applications in our everyday lives Curriculum Links: KS3 Science: Physics; forces KS3 Science: Working scientifically

You can’t see around corners… or can you? In this activity from the Science Museum, carefully placed mirrors change the path light takes twice, making it possible to look over walls, around corners and even behind you – all without being seen. Learning Outcomes: - Investigate how light travels in a straight line and can be reflected by a mirror - Use observation and questioning skills - See how the properties and behaviour of light have useful and relevant applications in our everyday lives Curriculum Links: KS2 Science: Light KS2 Science: Working Scientifically

Love music, but disappointed with the puny sound you get from smartphone speakers? In this activity from the Science Museum, things found around the home will boost the sound those speakers make. It’ll also make you think about how sounds are made and how they can be made louder. Learning Outcomes: - Investigate how sound vibrations can be directed to increase their amplitude (volume) - Use observation and creative problem solving skills - Understand that the way sound behaves has useful applications in our everyday lives Curriculum Links: KS3 Science: Physics; Sound waves KS3 Science: Working scientifically

A paper aeroplane, glider or helicopter falls to the ground much more slowly and more gracefully than a scrunched-up piece of paper – as the designs in this Science Museum activity show. It’s all thanks to the forces generated by air pressing on and moving over the surface of the paper. Learning Outcomes: - Investigate how fast or slow an object moves through the air is due to aerodynamics - Use observation and questioning skills - See how aerodynamics has practical and useful applications in our everyday lives Curriculum Links: KS2 Science: Forces KS1&2 Science: Working scientifically

Many structures are built around frameworks made of straight, rigid pieces of wood or metal, called members, connected together. Forces generated in the members support the structure. In this activity, created by the Science Museum, drinking straws are used as members, to make a self-supporting dome. Learning Outcomes: - Investigate how mixing water changes the way it behaves - Use observation and questioning skills - See how the behaviour of materials has useful applications in our everyday lives. Curriculum Links: KS1 Science: Everyday materials KS2 Science: Properties and changes of materials KS1 &2 Science: Working scientifically

Ice cream is basically droplets of fat from milk suspended in millions of tiny crystals of ice, fluffed up with tiny pockets of air. This activity from the Science Museum shows you how to make the right mixture then make it cold enough to create those ice crystals without the aid of a freezer – and reveals how salt and ice make a chilling combination. A great activity for exploring changes of state and the properties of matter. Learning outcomes: - Investigate the properties of different states of matter and how they look and behave differently - Use observation and questioning skills - Recognise how different states of matter behave have useful applications in our everyday lives Curriculum Links: KS2 & 3 Science: States of matter KS2 &3 Science: Working scientifically

We rely on electric circuits every day, in our homes, schools and places of work, in our portable gadgets and kitchens. In this activity from the Science Museum, a circuit drawn in pencil conducts electricity to light an LED. You’ll need to get hold of an LED and some wires and crocodile clips – all these things are available cheaply online or from high street electronics shops. Learning Outcomes: - Investigate the conductive properties of graphite - Use observation and creative problem solving skills - Understand how the conductive properties of materials have useful applications in our everyday lives. Curriculum Links: KS3 Science: Physics; Electricity KS3 Science: Working scientifically; experimental skills and investigations

Ever wondered what would happen to your body in space? This activity from the Science Museum will give you some idea. It shows how a marshmallow expands dramatically when normal atmospheric pressure is reduced; it’s hard to imagine a human body in its place. Learning Outcomes: - Investigate how materials behave when atmospheric pressure is changed - Use observation and questioning (curiosity) skills - See how forces and atmospheric pressure have useful and relevant applications in our everyday lives Curriculum Links: KS3 Science: Physics; forces KS3 Science: Working scientifically

Classroom discussion is a great way for students to explore the science that relates to their lives. This pdf and the films on the web link give ideas for different discussion formats that will really help you structure a lesson. All the formats are designed to encourage participation and help students feel comfortable expressing their opinions

The Science Museum's Punk Science duo share their top tips for making science demonstrations fun and exciting in the classroom.

A downloadable booklet of fun science activities using everyday ingredients, with notes for teachers. This booklet contains step-by-step instructions for science activities and experiments that are safe and easy to do in the classroom or at home.

In this activity you can make a paper mouse hit the ceiling using forces and the power of air. The objective of this lesson is to squeeze air through a small opening which gives it enough force to move objects.

In this race against the clock students work as a team to build the highest tower possible out of dried spaghetti and marshmallows. The objective of this lesson is to explore structures and investigate what methods of building can make the tallest and strongest structure. By testing their prototype buildings, students will also have the opportunity to rebuild and alter their designs to improve them, giving an insight into the real-life processes of testing, redevelopment and prototyping that engineers and scientists use.