Whatever subject you teach, we are sure to have resources for you! Here is a selection of our subject-specific resources published over the past year.

Maths

Statistics – As a statistical ecologist, Professor Joanna Mills Flemming uses statistics to study data gathered from the ocean. In this activity, students conduct their own statistical project to analyse data about their classmates.

Networks – Dr Min Xu mathematically analyses networks. Students are introduced to the real-world applications of networks, such as in epidemiology (tracking how a disease spreads through a population) and social science (analysing social connections and interactions between people).

English

Literature and creative writing – Professor Dale Townshend and Dr Michael Carter have investigated how the Gothic architecture of medieval ruins inspired Gothic literature in the 18th and 19th centuries. Students consider the role architecture plays in classics such as Frankenstein, Dracula, Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. In the activity, they are encouraged to write their own spooky stories inspired by ruins.

Journalism – Dr Ataharul Chowdhury is trying to combat misinformation about food and agriculture. In this activity, students are challenged to research a topic of agricultural misinformation then write a news report as a journalist about the causes and consequences of misinformation related to food and agriculture.

Literacy – Professor Jacqueline Cummine studies the neuroscience behind literacy. In this activity, students conduct an experiment to explore how our senses influence our ability to read.

Reading comprehension – Learning to read comes with a wealth of challenges. Students will learn how Dr Marie-France Côté is studying the complexities of reading comprehension among first-grade students.

Chemistry

Analytical chemistry – Dr Ron Quinlan hopes to demonstrate the real-world applications of analytical chemistry by uncovering the chemistry of beer and helping brewers create the perfect pint. In this activity, students conduct their own chromatography experiment to discover what colours make up inks and food dyes.

Chemical reactions – A team of oceanographers is exploring the effectiveness of ocean alkalinity enhancement, an atmospheric CO­₂ removal technique that increases the alkalinity of seawater in order to draw more CO­₂ from the atmosphere into the ocean. Students will learn about CO­₂-related chemical reactions then conduct their own experiment to observe what happens when CO­₂ dissolves in water.

Chemical engineering – As a chemical and biomolecular engineer, Dr Yamil Colón is exploring the chemical process of adsorption. Students will learn how this can be applied to address climate and environmental challenges.

Biology

Developmental biology – Students will learn how Professor Andy Groves is uncovering the development and evolution of hair cells in the inner ear.

Immunology and vaccinology – Students will discover how Professor Ross Kedl is using the immune system to develop more effective vaccines.

Ecology – Dr Sarah Guindre-Parker is exploring how city environments impact the health of urban wildlife. In this activity, students will learn to identify wildlife in their local area.

Plant science – Professor Jong Hyun Ham is studying how bacteria interact with crops, as some bacteria are beneficial for plant growth, while others cause disease. In this activity, students explore symbiotic relationships by growing plants that support each other as they grow.

Physics

Nanoparticles – Dr Jeffery Farner and Dr Olubukola Alimi are exploring what happens when plastics break down into microplastics and nanoplastics. Students will learn how these nanoparticles interact with the environment and our bodies.   

Biomedical imaging – Every day, in hospitals all over the world, doctors use the laws of physics to diagnose and treat their patients. In this article, students will learn how Professor Simon Cherry and Professor Ramsay Badawi developed the world’s first full-body positron emission tomography scanner. In the activity, they will explore how historical physics discoveries have paved the way for modern inventions.

Applied physics – Magnetoencephalography is a powerful non-invasive biomedical technique that detects brain function by measuring the magnetic fields produced by the brain’s electrical activity. Students will discover how Dr Orang Alem is using his knowledge of physics to create new brain scanning technology.

Foreign languages

Linguistics – As an applied linguist, Dr Caroline Payant is exploring the power of plurilingualism (the use of multiple languages) in language education. Students will learn the importance of embracing their whole language repertoire in their learning and everyday life. In this activity, students create a language portrait to explore and celebrate their language repertoire.

Many of our research articles and activity sheet have been translated into other languages, including Spanish, French, German, Mandarin and Arabic. This makes them ideal resources for language lessons and means they are accessible for speakers of other languages. 

Geography

Environmental justice – In this article, students will explore the concept of environmental justice and learn how Dr Stephanie Rutherford and Dr Michael Classens are using data and maps to expose cases of environmental injustice. In the activity, students are challenged to create a photovoice project that uses photography to explore an environmental issue in their neighbourhood.

Geology – Dr Dawn Kellet is developing methods to accurately determine the ages of geological faults. Students will learn how this has implications for our understanding of the Earth’s geological evolution.

Marine science – An international team of scientists is investigating how the Southern Ocean mitigates the impacts of climate change. In this activity, students are inspired to consider a career in marine science by imagining life on board during a marine research expedition.  

Climate change – In this article, students will learn how an international team of scientists is investigating how Antarctica will respond to climate change.

Landscapes – Landscapes in the Canadian Arctic are thought to be similar to landscapes on Mars. Students will discover how Éloïse Brassard is helping scientists learn more about Mars by studying these Arctic landscapes.

History

Archaeology – In this article, students are inspired to consider a career in archaeology by learning about how Dr Meaghan Peuramaki-Brown and Matthew Longstaffe are excavating an Ancestral Maya town in Belize.

History education – Interactive and hands-on learning increases student engagement, which is why Dr Katherine Wilson and Dr Thomas Pickles are encouraging teachers to incorporate historical objects into their history lessons.

Art and design

Art – In this article, students will learn how a team of cognitive neuroscientists are exploring how we convey emotion through art. In the activity, students conduct an experiment to explore how their classmates create abstract artwork based on different emotions.

Photography – Art can be a powerful method of communicating, allowing people to share their emotions without using words. A team of social justice researchers is using photography to understand Syrian refugee men’s experiences of resettling in a new country and how this impacts their mental health. In the activity, students conduct their own photovoice project to explore topics that matter to them.

Film – Professor Sheila Petty and Dr Estrella Sendra are developing methods to decolonise film festivals and film festival research. In this activity, students are tasked with making their own films then collating them into a film festival.

Architecture – Dr Lisa Landrum is encouraging architecture students to build a better future by ensuring that architecture promotes social and environmental justice. In this activity, students explore how the built environment around them influences their lives and they are encouraged to redesign their school or classroom.  

Music

Music – Many music genres are associated with specific communities or identities, meaning those who are not traditionally associated with a certain genre may feel excluded. Professor Lori Burns is examining the rise of female heavy metal artists. In this activity, students will analyse the lyrics and music of a song to gain a deeper understanding of the song’s message.

Music technology – At the Performance Laboratory, a world-class simulation facility, a team of researchers is exploring how an audience can influence a performer. In this activity, students design an experiment to test how the characteristics of an audience affect the quality of a performance. 

Religion, philosophy and ethics

History and philosophy of science – Dr Jennifer Mensch and Dr Michael Olson are studying philosophical and scientific texts from the 18^th century that shaped the way people saw race in the Western world. Students will learn how, by exposing these historical roots of racism, opportunities to improve societal attitudes to race should become easier to identify.

Religious history – In medieval times, ghost stories were told by monks to educate people about the afterlife. Professor Dale Townshend and Dr Michael Carter are using tales of the supernatural to engage people with religious ruins, and students will learn about religious history in England.

Bioethics – Professor Mary Majumder studies bioethics, the field that discusses ethical issues in healthcare and ethical questions related to science and technology. Students are challenges to consider the ethical debates surrounding advances in science and medicine.

Technology

Computer science – Collaborations between computer scientists, psychologists and neuroscientists have resulted in computational models that are helping scientists to uncover the secrets of the mind and impart this intelligence to computers. In this activity, students build their own computational model and conduct an experiment to explore how our brains function.

Video game development – People with autism often face discrimination and have difficulties obtaining jobs, so Professor Leanne Chukoskie and Professor Pamela Cosman have developed a unique internship that champions the skills of neurodiverse people in video game development. In this activity, students design an experiment to explore how eye movement relates to gaming ability.

Food science – Dr Salam Ibrahim is improving food production and safety by uncovering the secrets of food microbiology. In this activity, students use microorganisms to create their own food.

Textiles and fashion – Dr Samii Kennedy Benson is providing students with the practical sewing skills and the business skills needed by fashion entrepreneurs. In this activity, students create their own fashion brand by designing and making their own clothes and accessories.

Artificial intelligence – Advances in AI mean that deepfakes are becoming harder to detect. As deepfakes can harm individuals, society and even national security, Professor Siwei Lyu hopes to develop the technology to prevent AI being used for malicious purposes.

Mental health and well-being

Physical and mental well-being – Engaging with music has positive impacts on mental health and well-being and Professor Gilles Comaeu is exploring why. In this activity, students design a music and movement session to boost their physical and mental well-being.

Eco-anxiety – Knowledge of the climate crisis can cause a range of emotions, including fear and anger. Dr Catherine Malboeuf-Hurtubise and Terra Léger-Goodes are using creative arts to help children express and cope with eco-anxiety. In this activity, students are encouraged to use a range of creative arts to explore their own eco-anxiety, providing a creative outlet for their emotions.

Self-care – Leaving school and embarking on the next chapter in life can be a time of anxiety as well as excitement. Dr Jenna Gilchrist is studying how high school students adapt to life at university, and how techniques such as exercising self-compassion can help them regulate their emotions. In this activity, students create a self-care package to help them as they adapt during a time of change.

Careers

All our articles contain information and advice about careers in the researcher’s specific field of work. We have also produced dedicated careers-based articles focusing on careers in aviation (e.g., pilot, engineer, aviation safety specialist), RNA biology (e.g., molecular biologist, biochemist, biomedical engineer, policy expert, ethics researcher), dentistry and nursing.

Need more inspiration?

If you want more classroom activities for different subjects, check out these ideas from last year: www.futurumcareers.com/classroom-resources-for-the-new-school-year-2

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