British Science Week

Explore our resources from British Science Week 2022

British Science Week brought together a collection of activities and digital resources to help you celebrate in 2022. Discover a whole host of opportunities to get your learners engaging with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). 

For more information on British Science Week activities, visit the Manchester Museum page. 

Don’t miss our STEM teacher newsletter, for news on future activities. Sign up to find out more.

Follow @UoMSchools where we’ll signpost other STEM activities and resources you can access.

Public engagement

ScienceX

Explore the online version of ScienceX, where science and fun collide. Watch videos, listen to stories and create your very own experiments from home. Join in today! 

BioDiscovery

On our BioDiscovery website delve into the Biosciences via a wealth of activities and videos created by our very own researchers, lecturers, technical staff and students at the University and the Manchester Museum.

The resources are aimed at the public and secondary school pupils (Years 7 and above) and include online videos, virtual tours, activities and exhibits covering a range of topics, including the following:

  • Take part in virtual tours of the Firs Botanical Gardens and discover habitats from deserts to tropical forests.
  • Learn how worms are used in the lab.
  • Learn about the living biobank for ovarian cancer, which is being developed at the Manchester Cancer Research Centre.
  • View the research being conducted to develop COVID-19 vaccines using plants.
  • Hear from Professor Matthew Cobb as he looks at fifty years of genetic engineering (a subject he covered for BBC Radio Four in, 'Genetic dreams, genetic nightmares').
  • Meet Dmitri, Manchester Museum’s very own Spider Man and find out about the animal research being done at the University, and how it's contributing to important breakthroughs in medical science.
  • Gain insight into visualising nerve regeneration, how forces affect cells and how we can communicate health through the medium of comics with graphic medicine.
  • Hear from Professor Dan Davis about his new book the 'Secret Body' and startling new discoveries in human biology.

BioDiscovery encourages enthusiasm, fun and discovery in the biological and biomedical sciences for both pupils and the wider public.

Primary

The Thinking Cap – Brains, Hats and Health

This unique online resource is a collaboration between the University’s Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, the Hat Works Museum (Stockport) and interference-art.

The workshop, created by neuroscientists, museum staff and artists, includes videos, quizzes, worksheets and other creative activities. It can be run by teachers in school or by parents at home and covers everything from how the brain works, to protecting your brain and mental health, to fun with hats.

While aimed at Year 5 pupils, ‘The Thinking Cap’ also connects to science, numeracy, art and PSHE KS1 and 2, and so could be adapted for a range of ages. The project aims to engage pupils with brain science and health through creative activities, while also celebrating Stockport's hatting heritage, as well as raising awareness of studying at University.

Complete our form to access the workshop.

Wednesday Workshops with University of Manchester Physics Outreach

There are four 90 minute workshops to choose from:

  • Mission to Mars (Years 5-6)
  • Earth and Beyond (Years 5-6)
  • Particle Zoo (Years 5-6)
  • Girls in STEM (Years 9-12).

Workshops are run via Zoom and can be booked by emailing schools@umpo.co.uk

More information can be found on the Physics Outreach page

Virtual talks and workshops

Explore our selection of talks and workshops designed by PhD researchers with a Primary audience in mind. Not only that but the videos also come with worksheets and resources suitable for classroom use.

Discover OOBLEK

When is a solid a liquid? This informative poster from The Centre for Advanced Fluid Dynamics for Digital Manufacturing introduces Non-Newtonian Fluids and how they flow like normal liquids until pressure is applied. 

When you apply pressure to a Non-Newtonian fluid its viscosity changes and becomes solid. Our project looks to understand why this happens, in order to solve the challenges when these fluids need to be mixed. These challenges are everywhere in our daily lives as Non-Newtonian fluids are present in everything from toothpaste to custard.

Secondary

Maths Feast

Maths Feast is a fun educational challenge for Year 10 students, designed to test problem solving and teamwork skills. In teams of four, students can put their skills to the test with our all-you-can-eat feast of mathematical problems!

Date: 9 and 10 March
Time: 11am – 2pm
Location: University of Manchester, Sackville Street Campus

Find out more and sign a team up here:
9 March: https://amsp.org.uk/events/details/8887
10 March: https://amsp.org.uk/events/details/8888

The Great Maths Hunt - KS3 and 4 online Zoom workshop

Join us as we take a look at everyday life and ask students, “where is the maths?”  Discover the hidden mathematical research behind everyday things, find out who mathematicians work with, how they solve problems, and where a career in maths may take you. 

In collaboration with The Mathematics of Waves and Materials.

Contact naomi.curati@manchester.ac.uk to book. 

UoM WES Aerospace: Rocket workshop

Inspire your KS3 and KS4 pupils with this engaging workshop, highlighting all the opportunities for a career in engineering, or more specifically aerospace engineering.

In the one hour workshop we will showcase the careers of high profile, empowering women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) while also exploring the ins and outs of engineering and busting its myths and stereotypes.

In the rocket activity, students can test out their analytical and problem solving skills. We’ll ask them to think about factors affecting the rocket flow, like its shape, length and number of fins, as well as external factors that could impact the trajectory such as the wind and thrust power.

This session introduces some of the basic concepts engineers have to consider and gives students a small taste of what it is like to pursue engineering as a career.

For enquiries about workshop availability please contact Michelle.tang@student.manchester.ac.uk

Wednesday workshops with the University's Physics Outreach

A 90 minute Girls in STEM workshop aimed at Years 9 to 12.

Workshops are run via Zoom and can be booked by emailing schools@umpo.co.uk

Virtual talks and workshops

Discover our wide variety of degree programmes through the Why Study? talks or delve into our large selection of virtual workshops for secondary school pupils.  In our workshop series a PhD researcher will introduce you to their area of study and offer worksheets and resources which can be used in the classroom or at home. 

Discover OOBLEK

When is a solid a liquid? This informative poster from The Centre for Advanced Fluid Dynamics for Digital Manufacturing introduces Non-Newtonian Fluids and how they flow like normal liquids until pressure is applied. 

When you apply pressure to a Non-Newtonian fluid its viscosity changes and becomes solid. Our project looks to understand why this happens, in order to solve the challenges when these fluids need to be mixed. These challenges are everywhere in our daily lives as Non-Newtonian fluids are present in everything from toothpaste to custard.

Post-16

Revisit the Irene Manton lectures

The annual Irene Manton lecture celebrates the significant contribution made by women to the Natural Sciences. Named after British botanist Irene Manton, Manchester alumni and the first female president of the Linnean Society, the event is aimed at A-level students interested in the study of natural sciences.

Let’s take a look back at previous lecture highlights.

Irene Manton Lecture 2021:

Dr Kat Coyte, Presidential Fellow (Research) at the University, highlighted how we can combine mathematics, big data and simple experiments to understand and perhaps even manipulate our own microbial communities, in her talk, 'Worlds within our Guts'.

Irene Manton Lecture 2020:

Eleanor Drinkwater, a PhD student from the University of York, highlighted the scientific contributions of women in science in her talk, ‘Metamorphosis: a 300 year story of intrepid women, rainforests and butterflies’.

Virtual talks and workshops

Discover our wide variety of degree programmes through the Why Study? talks or delve into our large selection of virtual workshops for post-16 pupils.  In our workshop series a PhD researcher will introduce you to their area of study and offer worksheets and resources which can be used in the classroom or at home. 

On-demand STEM resources

Our STEM resources are available all year round for you to take advantage of: