Teaching Resources

Teachers and students will find the following curriculum-linked resources of value in introducing different aspects of materials, whether for Science or Design and Technology.
The Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers’ support materials education through a number of initiatives including scholarships for sixth formers interested in studying materials at university, equipment grants and bursaries for undergraduate and postgraduate students. They are also keen supporters of courses for teachers and pupils, such as the Rolls Royce Materials Master Class for teachers and the Smallpeice, Headstart and Salters’ courses for students.
For the latest information on resources available from the Armourers and Brasiers’ Company click here or contact the Clerk.
School Science web-site. This site contains a number of free resources which support the materials aspects of the science curricula (in particular on steel and copper) and others which support science in general. It is free to use and well worth a look!
The UK Centre for Materials Education aims to support and promote, good and innovative learning and teaching practices as informed by research, in the disciplines related to, and using, materials.
The MATTER Project is a non-profit consortium of UK materials science departments, founded in 1993 to develop and help integrate computer-based learning (CBL) materials into mainstream teaching.
The AluMATTER Project is a collaboration between the Education and Training Committee (ETC) of the European Aluminium Association (EAA) and the MATTER Project at the University of Liverpool to develop innovative and interactive web-based learning tools for aluminium science and technology.
SteelUniversity.org is an initiative by the International Iron and Steel Institute in partnership with the MATTER Project at the University of Liverpool to design, develop and implement a collection of interactive online learning aids for steel applications, processing and metallurgy.
The IoM Schools Affiliate Scheme, which provides free teaching resources and other benefits to assist with the teaching of materials science and engineering in schools.
Institute of Materials, Mineral & Mining publications list.
Materials World
University Degree Courses
Contacts for information on accredited materials degree courses.
CIEC York
Chemical Industries Education Centre, provider or curriculum materials for the plastics industry.
Corus
European Steel Manufacturer.
Gatsby Trust
The Gatsby Technical Education Project has been established for the advancement of education for the benefit of the public by the support and development of excellence in mathematics, science, technology, engineering, information technology and other academic areas.
The Quarry Products Association has a number of on-line resources available for schools related to the quarrying industry. Resources suitable for KS1 to KS4 are available via a tour of a Virtual Quarry and resources aimed at 16+ are available at www.quarryed.co.uk.
Smartmat is part of the Materials Knowledge Transfer Network and is a community of people working with smart materials. The site gives information on a variety of different smart materials but also provides links to companies and details of events.
Middlesex University Teaching Resources provides a wide range of teaching resources for schools through the Technology Enhancement Programme and Science Enhancement Programme. They provide samples and information about smart materials and a range of other materials.
The Science Learning Centres provide updates and courses for science teachers on all aspects of science at the National Centre in York and nine other centres around the country.
STEMnet aims to raise awareness of and promote careers in science, technology, engineering and maths by providing links between schools and local companies and bringing STEM events in to the classroom. Local STEM points are also the point of contact for the Science and Engineering Ambassadors in that area.
Polymer Study Tours are excellent update courses for science and technology teachers on all aspects of polymers. The courses feature lectures, lab classes, workshops and company visits and take place at three venues around the UK.
The Smallpeice Trust runs a range of inspirational engineering courses at venues around the UK aimed at school pupils from year 9 to 12. Courses on Minerals and Mining Engineering take place at the University of Leeds and the Cambourne School of Mines (part of the University of Exeter) and Materials Engineering courses at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.
Headstart courses aim to give pupils at the end of year 12 or S5 an insight in to engineering and a course focussed on materials engineering takes place each year at the University of Oxford.