Teacher support Teaching resources and activities
Search for a space activity near your school or browse our selection of websites and recommended space resources using the STEM eLibrary.
Space web linksAstronomy
Association for Astronomy Education (AAE)
http://www.aae.org.uk/The AAE promotes astronomy and space science and provides teacher resources, information and training. It can provide A-level notes and speaker lists, and operates the 'Ask and Astronomer' email service. It also publishes materials for classroom teachers. All members receive the quarterly newsletter 'Gnomon' and the 'Universe in the Classroom' magazine which contains articles on astronomy teaching, book reviews and topical sky maps.
Association for Radio Astronomy in Education
http://arae.ukaranet.org.uk/Trevor Hill, Head of Physics at Wellington School, Somerset, has developed a reputation for his work in promoting radio astronomy in schools. From this grew the Association for Radio Astronomy in Education (ARAE). The website explaing in more detail how radio astronomy fits into various levels of the school curriculum, and ARAE (now a registered, non-profit making charity) can also provide radio astronomy equipment for education.
Astronomical Society of the Pacific
http://www.astrosociety.org/education/podcast/The Society has available to download for free 30 audio and video podcasts from talks given by distinguished astronomers on the latest ideas and discoveries in the field.
Astronomy Cast
http://www.astronomycast.com/Astronomy Cast is an independent website which takes a fact-based journey through the cosmos as it offers listeners weekly discussions on astronomical topics ranging from planets to cosmology. Hosted by Fraser Cain (Universe Today) and Dr Pamela L. Gay (SIUE), this show brings the questions of an avid astronomy lover direct to an astronomer. Together Fraser and Pamela explore what is known and being discovered about the universe around us.
Astrophysics Research Institute
http://www.astro.ljmu.ac.uk/The Astrophysics Research Institute at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) is one of the world's leading authorities in Astronomy and Astrophysics.
The work of the ARI supports a comprehensive programme in observational and theoretical research, telescope instrumentation, academic learning and outreach activities.
Research interests of the ARI cover time-domain astrophysics, galaxy formation and evolution, galaxy clusters, gamma-ray bursts and studies in star formation
British Astronomical Association
http://britastro.org/baa/The BAA runs a series of workshops to encourage amateur astronomy enthusiasts to take up observing programmes that may prove useful to the astronomical community. The programmes include observing planets, comets, meteor showers, variable stars including novae and long period variables, searching for supernovae in distant galaxies.
Dark Sky Discovery
http://www.darkskydiscovery.org.uk/This project links organisations, individuals and resources in each part of the UK into Dark Sky Partnerships. These partnerships deliver astronomy events throughout the UK.
The project is managed by Dan Hillier, Space Ambassador for ESERO-UK, from the Royal Observatory Edinburgh.
The wbesite contains a number of resources, a list of regional events, further information on the project and ideas for lesson plans.
European Southern Observatory (ESO)
http://www.eso.org/public/outreach/ESO is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world’s most productive astronomical observatory. On behalf of its fourteen Member States, ESO operates three sites in Chile — La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor — and carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries.
The education and Public Outreach Department (ePOD) promotes astronomy and the scientific process as a fundamental part of our culture and heritage and produces a series of outreach products, included among which are resources for teachers and schools, as well as communicators such as: exercise books, DVDs, podcasts, posters etc.
Galaxy Zoo
http://www.galaxyzoo.org/Galaxy Zoo is a community astronomy project whereby members of the public are asked to look at a number of galaxies and classify them according to shape, size, direction etc. This ability to identify and question the various galaxy images is trait unique to humans, that even the most advanced of computers can't yet replicate. The findings are then used to inform further scientific investigation and research.
Any member of the public can become a "zookeeper" and no qualifications are required, just the passion and interest to take part in the first place.
GLOBE at Night
http://www.globeatnight.org/GLOBE at Night is an annual citizen-science campaign that encourages people all over the world to record the brightness of their night sky. For two weeks every March, when the Moon is not out during the early evening and the constellation of Orion can be seen by everyone everywhere, children and adults match the appearance of Orion with 7 star maps of progressively fainter stars found on the website, www.globeatnight.org. They then submit their measurements (e.g., which star map they chose) on-line with their date, time and location.
Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory
http://www.mrao.cam.ac.uk/telescopes/The Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory (MRAO) was built five miles south-west of Cambridge, at Lord's Bridge. The Observatory is operated by the Cavendish Laboratory, supported by the Particle Physics & Astronomy Research Council.
Need-Less
http://www.need-less.org.uk/The [i]Need-Less[/i] campaign has been set up to develop and provide new design ideas that raise awareness of light pollution.
The [i]Need-Less[/i] campaign works alongside other 'anti-light pollution' campaigns to offer entertaining and intriguing new concepts that appeal to the public for help.
The website features more information on the campaign, as well as a Night Sky Simulator to display the different levels of light pollution and subsequent night sky views all across the UK.
Norwich Astronomical Society
http://nas.gurney.org.uk/Website for astronomy enthusiasts, the society is based at the Seething Observatory which sits in a two-acre site to the edge of the Seething Airfield in South Norfolk. Visitors and members can enjoy stunning dark star-filled skies and guest lectures from society members.
Royal Astronomical Society
http://www.ras.org.uk/index.phpThe UK's leading society for professional astronomers. The website contains a wealth of educational information and links to other sites. It also contains RAS news and information, events, meetings and links to other astronomy organisations.
Royal Astronomical Society eLibrary Collection
http://stem.org.uk/cxteInformation materials from the RAS that will help teachers and students gain a greater understanding of astronomy and astronomical techniques.
Sky Maps
http://www.skymaps.com/downloads.htmlWebsite which produces monthly, printable maps of the night sky for free. The maps highlight what to look out for each month and are suitable for newcomers or experienced astronomers.
Society for Popular Astronomy
http://www.popastro.com/The Society for Popular Astronomy is dedicated to bringing astronomy to everyone. It publishes 'Popular Astronomy' and at least six 'News Circulars' each year, and regular e-bulletins, as well as a useful website.
South East Kent Astronomical Society
http://www.sekas.co.uk/SEKAS/Home.htmlThe Society has over 150 members making SEKAS one of the most active astronomical societies in the area. From telescope making to CCD imaging, they are constantly enlarging their sphere of activities and introducing young and old alike to the nighttime sky.
Stellarium
http://www.stellarium.org/Stellarium is a free open source planetarium for your computer. It shows a realistic sky in 3D, just like what you see with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope.
It is being used in planetarium projectors. Just set your coordinates and go.
The Federation of Astronomical Societies
http://www.fedastro.org.uk/fas/The Federation of Astronomical Societies is a union of astronomical societies, groups, and individuals, liaising together, where practicable, for their mutual benefit.
The Federation's aims include items such as the compilation of lists of people prepared to give talks, the encouragement of the teaching of astronomy in educational establishments, the giving of advice on problems commonly encountered by astronomical societies, and so on.
The Federation produces an excellent handbook and yearly astrocalendar.
Astronomical Societies are many and varied across the UK, and offer a great chance of extra-curricular study, or inspirational jumping-off points for additional study. Furthermore, many Societies will happily cater for school groups and often have access to large telescopes and other astronomical equipment.
University of Hertfordshire AllSky Cameras
http://star.herts.ac.uk/allsky/about.php?c=1A selection of three AllSky cameras show daily images taken at long exposure of the night sky.
West Yorkshire Astronomical Society
http://www.wyas.org.uk/A large and friendly society interested in absolutely all aspects of astronomy. It really doesn't matter how much you know or how big your telescope is but if you have a latent interest in Astronomy please explore the website, then pay them a visit at the Rosse Observatory.
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