Useful links
Links to other educational earth science resources and to resources for schools at other NERC research centres.
Educational Information
Outreach
How to contact us for information on site tours, talks, and other popular science and school events.
Earth Learning Idea
Earth Learning Idea began as an International Year of Planet Earth initiative in 2007 and since then has published free Earth-related teaching ideas which are designed as practical resources for teachers and teacher-trainers all over the world. There will be a new Earth Learning Idea every two weeks throughout 2011. Each activity is designed to create pupil participation for maximum learning. All activities are free to download and most require minimal cost and equipment. Best of all, they are fun!
Earth Science Education Forum for England and Wales
The BGS supports the Earth Science Education Forum for England and Wales. The aim of the Forum is to promote Earth science in education and to bring together all relevant organisations in pursuit of this.
Earth Science Teachers' Association
Other resources for teachers are available from the ESTA web site. The BGS and ESTA have agreed to share their expertise and work together to encourage and support the teaching of earth sciences and have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding which can be viewed as a PDF file.
EarthCache
EarthCache is geologically oriented version of geocaching. An EarthCache site is a special place that people can visit to learn about a unique geoscience feature or aspect of our Earth.
East Midlands STEM Partnership
The East Midlands STEM Partnership is the voice of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education in the region. Through its members – STEM partners, educators and businesses – the Partnership provides the stimulation, skills and support for STEM professionals of the future.
The Geological Society
The Geological Society education pages have material relevant to school teachers and students; through higher education and employment options; to lifelong learning and CPD.
Physical Properties Network
The Physical Properties Network is a knowledge transfer network crossing discipline boundaries and uniting industry, academia, researchers, teachers and students interested in physical properties. Through newsletters, conferences, seminars and www.physprops.net, it acts as a forum, a communications link and an information resource to exchange, discuss and spark ideas. BGS is a core partner in this NERC sponsored collaborative endeavour. Membership is open to all.
Rockwatch
The BGS has a memorandum of understanding with Rockwatch, the nationwide club for young geologists. Rockwatch organise geological events, excursions and competitions and much more. They attend many of our events for children and we are pleased to return the favour whenever we can.
Scottish Earth Science Education Forum
The Scottish Earth Science Education Forum (SESEF) is a national network of people and institutions committed to supporting earth science education in schools through continuing professional development and resources for teachers.
STEMNET and STEM Ambassadors
The BGS is a member of STEMNET, a unique collaborative force of nearly 100 member organisations that seeks to stimulate the interests of young people in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and in pursuing careers related to these subjects. STEMNET promotes STEM through its UK-wide network of local STEMNET contract holders. STEMPOINTs also manage STEM Ambassadors in their area — a programme that allows volunteers from Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) backgrounds to work with schools to promote STEM.
Sub-Surf Rocks!
Sub-Surf Rocks! A resource for teaching structural and economic geology at A-level using seismic datasets from the UK Onshore Geophysical Library.
UK Groundwater Forum
The BGS is one of the major funders of the UK Groundwater Forum and runs the Secretariat which supports the Forum's steering committee. The aim of the Forum is to raise the awareness of groundwater in the UK. Its website provides basic and in-depth groundwater information, topical news articles, a meetings calendar, educational resources and careers advice.
Other BGS web pages that may be of interest to schools, colleges and amateur geologists
- The BGS earthquake pages, with a dynamically updated database of recent UK earthquakes
- The BGS geomagnetism pages
- The BGS archives, a wealth of information about the early history of BGS.
- The GeoScenic photo archive
- Magazines and other free publications
- Geology of Britain
- Advice on careers and educational courses in earth sciences
Other earth science web resources for teachers
Joint Earth Science Education Initiative
The Joint Earth Science Education Initiative (JESEI) website has been designed especially for chemistry, biology and physics specialists with their teaching of earth science.JESEI is supported by the Royal Society, the Association for Science Education, the Geological Society and the UK Offshore Operators Association.
Earth Science Education Unit
The Earth Science Education Unit (ESEU), based at Keele University, provides free INSET (in-service training) across England and Wales to science departments in secondary schools, to meetings of science teachers and to teacher education institutions.
IGEO
The aims of the International Geoscience Education Organisation (IGEO) are to promote geoscience education internationally at all levels, to encourage developments raising public awareness of geoscience, particularly amongst younger people, and to work for enhancement of the quality of geoscience education internationally.
The Virtual Quarry
The Virtual Quarry website provides a unique interactive experience for children and a substantial resource for teachers. For youngsters, the highlight is a tour of a virtual quarry by a team of animated characters, who explain where the materials for our buildings and roads come from. Teachers can access 20 complete teaching units for key stages 1 to 4 developed against the schemes of work recommended by the Department for Education and Skills. Although the emphasis is on science and geography, the units also draw on the relevance of quarrying to the citizenship and sustainable development areas of the curriculum. A comprehensive set of supporting resources is available, including an image library and guidance on organising visits to real quarries.
NERC Educational Resources
The BGS is part of the Natural Environment Research Council, whose own web site provides a number of resources for students.
Other NERC Research Centres also offer web resources aimed at schools
- British Antarctic Survey – Schools web pages.
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology – Schoolnet – Schools web pages.
- National Oceanography Centre, Southampton – Schools information and careers advice.
