Welcome teachers and educators! Please find below our current online resources offer for Secondary education (Years 7-11, KS3-4), including lesson plans, project templates, videos, podcasts, forums, CPD and more! This is the current offer from the UoS and our partners – more educational resources are listed on the GCSE Students page, and we are curating our favourite engagement resources here.
All our resources for teachers have been created with partner teachers from local schools and colleges – if you’d like to share your knowledge and expertise and work with us on creating future resources, or there’s a particular area of the curriculum and beyond that you’d like us to create resources for, we’d love to hear from you! Email talk2us@soton.ac.uk.
Where a password is required use ‘disco’.
Green Stories have just published an anthology of climate solutions wrapped in short stories called No More Fairy Tales: Stories to Save Our Planet. Each story links to a webpage where readers can find out more how to make the solutions a reality. We compiled it originally to inspire COP27 delegates. The anthology made the ‘Top of the COP’, newsletters, and we contributed to several sessions about the role of storytelling in raising understanding of the climate crisis. However, the stories are great reads in their own right, and so we have made it available more widely. The anthology and associated website might be a useful resource for those teaching sustainability.
Welcome to the autism transitions project. This project is a collaboration between The University of Southampton and Aviary Nursery, Eastleigh. Together, we are finding out more about the experiences of transition of autistic children from preschool to primary school.
Young autistic children are amongst the most scrutinised and assessed in their everyday lives, often leading to characterisations and descriptions that focus on their difficulties (commonly termed ‘deficits’) and challenges rather than on their abilities, strengths and positive experiences.
This project is about changing the way we think and talk about autistic children in order to develop a more holistic understanding of who they are as a person. We do this through the creation of Digital Stories with children, families and staff members.
Digital Stories are short videos that focus on the child’s perspective. The stories show the child doing the things they like doing, and how they interact and communicate with others. Children’s voices and views are, therefore, at the centre of the research.
The idea for the Stories came about because we wanted to find a way for all children to contribute their views, experiences and perspectives to educational decision-making. We drew upon previous work funded by the ESRC that provided insights into the experiences, contexts, and culture of learning experiences for children with autism.
This project is from the ACoRNS group.
ACoRNS has collaborated with illustrator Sam Davies, Tracie Raufi (Assistant Headteacher-Curriculum and Head of Art and Design) and autistic students at New Forest School to co-produce a comic about the transition to secondary school. The comic tells the story of Lee Mouse who is getting ready for his first day at secondary school The storyline reflects the voices and experiences of autistic students, as well as some of the strategies that they identified that support their well-being at school. These include having positive and understanding relationships with staff members, a safe space to go to decompress, and an opportunity to talk through worries and fears.
We’re constantly increasing the number of ways in which you and your pupils can engage directly with our researchers and subject experts in the community – the latest are below!
Ever wondered how dolphins communicate underwater? Why some cars are louder than others? What’s making all that noise when you boil water in a kettle and why it changes? Now’s your time to ask our researchers from the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR) and find out! Ask questions via twitter to @ISVRSouthampton – and check out their YouTube channel for video responses plus virtual tours of their spooky Anechoic and Reverberation Chambers, demos and more!
(ATE) Ecology, Nature & Biodiversity: The Dinosaur on Your Window Sill
Talk directly to our researchers, students and a diverse community of ecology enthusiasts! Share photos, videos and questions plus daily challenges! Stay engaged with nature from your home.
Help our scientists analyse images and short video clips of the Aurora! Support real, current research into this mysterious phenomenon which effects our weather, satellites and more. Learn about the science behind the Northern Lights.
Avian is a cooperative multiplayer game with conservation, collaboration, and altruism at its core. Engage in multiple modes of play such as a negotiation puzzler and a fast-paced race as you help your community thrive.
At the University of Southampton, we’re very lucky to have some truly inspirational speakers visit us! During the lockdown response to the covid-19 pandemic in 2020, many of these lectures were edited into bite-sized videos for you to watch from home!
You can also explore our archive of full-length public lectures, on a range of topics and with a diverse cast of distinguished speakers, here.
Bug Power: Energy & More from Waste
Try these Circular Bioeconomy puzzles, to find out how we use living things to help us make energy and new products from rubbish! These are based on research from our Water and Environmental Engineering Group, and partners in the Environmental Biotechnology Network.
CAVATINA: FREE tickets for 8 – 25 year olds!
FREE TICKETS FOR 8-25 YEAR OLDS TO SELECTED CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERTS
Through the generous support of the CAVATINA Chamber Music Trust we are able to offer young people aged 8-25 the fantastic opportunity to experience selected concerts absolutely free.
CAVATINA Chamber Music Trust was formed in 1998 to develop young audiences for chamber music. Through their generous support we are able to offer young people aged 8 – 25 the fantastic opportunity to experience selected concerts absolutely free.
If you are aged 15-25 you can register on the CAVATINA membership scheme by emailing a copy of your ID, verifying your date of birth to: info@turnersims.co.uk using CAVATINA as the email title. We will email you to confirm when your membership has been set up and you will then be able to book your free CAVATINA tickets.
Parents/ Guardians and Carers can register their 8-14 year-olds on the CAVATINA membership scheme by sending your child’s name and date of birth to: info@turnersims.co.uk using CAVATINA as the email title. We will email you to confirm when your child’s membership has been set up and you will be able to book their free CAVATINA tickets.
To book your free ticket, log into your Turner Sims account, select a Standard Ticket and your discount will automatically be applied at the checkout.
One ticket per CAVATINA member per concert. CAVATINA membership will expire on your 26th birthday. Terms and conditions apply.
Enquiry-based learning in archaeology, 20 workshops to engage with and free for secondary school students due to COVID-19.
This online resource is designed to help young people in year 11 plan and prepare for life, study, and work after school by providing resources to help make decisions about the next steps.
Southampton’s newest arts and heritage venue, God’s House Tower, has an exciting exhibition schedule which you can view here.
There is something for everyone to enjoy – with many events free of charge.
How to Get to 100 and Enjoy it!
What are your chances of living to 100? How do your early years, your family life, where you live, your lifestyle and your work affect these chances? With one in three children born today expected to live to 100, these questions have never been more relevant.
Find out more about how our population is changing through a number of interactive activities from the world-leading Centre for Population Change! Download the ‘Our Life Journey’ app to learn about demographic change in Europe and the field of Population Studies. Explore a series of interactive maps and infographics to explore how Life Expectancy, Education & Employment, Migration, Population Structure, and Ageing change with location and impact our life journey.
Each area of discovery includes questions to get students thinking and suggested classroom activities. There is also a downloadable workbook that can be worked through individually or as a class. And look out for the exhibition as it tours the country – or enjoy it from home via the gallery!
Intro to Podiatry Resources
TEDxSouthampton University Talk: Baring the soul of the foot – Emma Cowley
The amazing human foot. This talk gives a brief overview of the practical, the anatomical and the cultural wonders of this often under-appreciated part of us. Reverence or revulsion, no-one can deny the enduring critical role our feet play in the story and the journey of humanity. Dr Emma Cowley is a podiatrist who has worked clinically with people and their foot health conditions for over 25 years. Emma is currently conducting research with citizen scientists on the public perceptions of feet to unveil the hidden narratives of the foot and inform education, policy and healthcare practices. Emma is a Senior Teaching Fellow at the University of Southampton, current Dean and fellow of the Faculty of Podiatric Medicine, Royal College of Podiatry, fellow of the Faculty of Podiatric Medicine, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, Chartered Scientist and Fellow of Advance HE. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
Psychologist Kimberley Wilson and Dr Xand van Tulleken continue their journey around the human body, asking what our insides can reveal about our lives and the world around us.
Podiatry Videos
Learn more about the amazing opportunities a career in podiatry can offer. Find out more about podiatry careers at the Royal College of Podiatry website rcpod.org.uk
Space to Create!
Our weekly family friendly sessions encourage creativity within the gallery! Come along on a Saturday between 11am-1pm for these free, drop-in family workshops!
Upcoming exhibition programme – this document has our upcoming exhibitions with how each show could link to the curricular.
Light Express – Exploring Waves of Light
A 6 minute long film by the Light Express Team – led by Dr Bill Brocklesby designed for Year 9 Students. It’s an Introduction to Waves.
Maths & Physics videos with UoS Graduate Dr. Emma Osbourne
Democracy and encouragement are fundamental features of any modern society. This project aims to support future democratic participation by building a web-based simulation tool in the form of a game. Each player acts as a local government representative, implementing local laws as they see fit, and thereby learning about participation issues and democratic choices.
National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE) Courses
Many of the NCCE CPD sessions for teachers are already available online, and more are being added regularly.
National Cipher Challenge – New Weekly Challenges!
Help Harry crack the codes and discover the secrets! Open to all ages and abilities. Join or create a team or individual entry to submit your answers for live marking – or have a go at past challenges in your own time and reveal answers to check your own work. It’s a great way to engage with Maths and Computing. Developed with IBM, GCHQ and other cipher/code-breaking experts!
Plenty of resources for you to explore about nature and heritage!
Winchester Science Centre – Science @ Home
Educational, inspirational and fun resources from Winchester Science Centre, from weekly Curiosity Challenges and DIY science videos to spectacular science demonstrations and fun and fascinating facts!
SciTunes use the power of song to teach Science! Follow the link to find a range of music videos created to keep classrooms lively, increase student engagement and make lesson content memorable. Includes exciting content for teaching and revision of GCSE science.
SOTSEF is back…with a fresh digital twist, as ‘SOTSEF Goes Digital’!
Although the live events have come to an end, many of the videos, podcasts, blogs and activities are still available – so you can still join us and discover the amazing!
Safe4me
There are also useful additional updates, information, materials and resources given regularly through the Safe4me News E-bulletin. Sign up and contribute by emailing schoolyouthengagement@hampshire.pnn.police.uk
Southern Universities Network (SUN) Resources
Resources for schools from our local partnership the SUN include careers and student resources, webinars and information for parents and carers to support their young people’s future decision making.
Southampton Young Archaeologists’ Club
Suitable for ages 8-16. Different activities to get involved in. Investigating archaeology sites.
Time Machine – Sleuth IT Adventure Games for Literacy
Recommended by our LifeLab team, download the outline document, click the link above for the resources, contact Joe Morretti directly for more information, and see their other resources on their website.
Turner Sims: Cordelia Williams, playing the Steinway Piano
If you are craving serenity, watch the first in a series of four stunning films from pianist Cordelia Williams, in which she plays the beautiful Turner Sims Steinway piano in the concert hall at Highfield campus. In this initial film, Cordelia serenades us with Mozart’s Rondo No 3, K511.
Teachers, careers colleagues and support staff: Download your FREE Teachers’ Guide to University brochure.
The Teachers’ Guide has been produced by UniTasterDays.com in collaboration with HELOA – to support the university guidance that is provided in secondary schools and colleges. Editorial has been provided by over 35 colleagues at universities institutions throughout the UK. On topics covering how to support students with their university decisions, university events, widening participation & fair access, UCAS applications (including writing school references) and more. It also includes the key student finance facts from Martin Lewis.
University of Southampton MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses)
Increase your subject knowledge by learning directly from our world experts for free! Great preparation for, or tasters of, courses your students are considering studying – or just to follow an interest.
Interact directly with our researchers when the courses are live.
Topics include:
The STEMM skills award for year’s 9-13. Any extracurricular activity involving Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine could count towards an award. Students log hours to the e-portfolio and receive a medal and certificate upon completion.
This National Geographic project shares (or ‘cross-pollinates’) approaches and tools between members of the public, scientists, technologists and educators in order to support pollinators, people and the practice of citizen science.
The resources and work programme are designed for registered schools in the UK and Italy, however, the project warmly welcomes everyone to get involved in the activities. All you need is an area of outdoor space (as small as 1m2) where you can create a small patch of habitat and a plant seeds suitable for pollinators.