Railways transformed the ability to move things and people across the country and beyond, faster than was previously possible. The objects in this image bank showcase the influence of maths in the stories of trains and railways.

Stripes on a knitted jumper, the rhythm of lessons on a school timetable, spots on a leopard’s skin… Wherever something repeats over and over again, you will find a pattern. The objects in this image bank showcase the many ways we can find and interpret patterns.

Maths is used to collect and interpret data about individuals and populations to better understand health and disease. The objects in this image bank showcase ways of using maths to understand bodies and diseases.

It’s because of mathematicians that we have computers today. The objects in this image bank showcase the tools, people and challenges behind the development of computers.

This activity involves cutting out templates and looking through the openings to find these shapes in the real world.

A key mathematical skill is reasoning – making deductions based on logical analysis of available information. This activity, which involves trying to work out how shoelaces are connected inside a closed tube, provides a fun way to practice and think about logical reasoning.

An animation is made up of a sequence of still images shown in rapid succession, each image slightly different from the last. This activity involves making a device called a phenakistoscope, which displays a continuously looping animation consisting of images drawn onto a spinning disc.

Trigonometry is a branch of maths that relies on the relationships between the angles and sides of triangles. This activity uses trigonometry to estimate the heights of tall objects, by making a simple tool that can measure angles.

A cipher is a code used to protect information that is being stored or communicated, so that only people who are allowed can access it. This activity involves making a cipher wheel of your own, which you can use to encrypt and decrypt messages.

Geometry is the study of shapes and their properties. This activity makes use of geometry in observing the shapes and angles soap bubbles create when they join together.

Treasure Hunters is a game designed to help school groups explore the larger world around them, whether they are visiting one of our museums, in the classroom or at home. It encourages players to look beyond the most popular objects in the gallery and create a completely unique experience, with the chance to learn about objects they might not have noticed otherwise. Everyone can get involved and go head-to-head for badges and treasure! iPhone and iPad download here: https://apple.co/2GHUETk Android download here: http://bit.ly/SMLearn_THApp Treasure Hunters can be played anywhere, not just in a museum, but our museums do have their own specific questions. The app poses challenges to players, for example: ‘Take a picture of something you think was expensive to make’ ‘Find something designed to move really fast’ ‘Take a picture of the biggest wheel you can find’ Players competing against each other will take it in turns to find an object that fits the description and photograph it. It is not just competition, either: on some rounds, competing players will be asked to team up and do a challenge together to collect special badges. Learning outcomes Make links between museum objects and science in their everyday lives. Develop discussion and communication skills. Develop observation skills.

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

Museums are full of wonderful and weird objects, and sometimes it can be hard to know where to begin. Here at the Science Museum Group we’ve come up with a simple question tool, See Link Wonder, to help inspire thought and discussion about the world around us. By encouraging students to observe and talk about what they encounter in our galleries, you can strengthen those links between museum objects, curriculum science and everyday life. Not to mention develop important skills that you can use back back in your classroom. See Link Wonder is not just for teachers, it can be used anywhere and everywhere by anyone: it is an easy way of exploring and investigating the objects around us, and making everyone a little bit more curious.

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

Shapes and patterns can be found all around us – from flowers to footballs, seashells to staircases. In this activity from the Science Museum, simple lines drawn on bottle tops or jam jar lids provide a fun way into the wonderful world of geometry. Learning Outcomes: - Investigate position, direction and movement of different shapes - Use observation, questioning and creative problem solving skills - See that patterns are used everywhere in the world around us Curriculum Links: KS1 & 2 Mathematics: Geometry 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