Educational websites

A huge site covering much of the museum's work. Use their 'Ology' site as a resource for pupils. Find out about the earth, biodiversity, marine biology ('Take a journey to the bottom of the sea') and genetics (Gene Scene) or learn all about the work of the 'ologists'.

The official government kids site for Scotland, the Junior Exec covers kids news in Scotland, including Scottish schools and pupils in Scotland, promoting kids activity and healthy eating in Scotland, the environment in Scotland, arts and culture, dance and sport for children in Scotland. The Junior Scottish Executive also covers Scottish laws and voting in Scotland.

The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) has long been involved in community work to enhance and improve the environment. It publishes various resources, some of which are aimed at schools and youth groups. They can be particularly helpful if, for example, working on a whole-school project to develop school grounds or other local areas.

Particularly strong for resources relating to global citizenship. The charity has materials that support religious and moral education.

The Scottish Development Education Centre provides teachers with resources and support for international education.

The main centre of information for schools who wish to register for and work towards the Eco Schools' awards. The site has information relating to the Eco Schools topics: Litter, Waste minimisation, Energy, Water, Transport, Health and Well-being, School Grounds and Biodiversity and has links to websites that can support these areas. Monthly bulletins, a 'Latest News' section and quarterly newsletters keep you up-to-date with what's happening, providing a good source of ideas from other schools and information about new resources, CPD courses and other events.

Site developed to support sustainable development education in England, with lesson planning materials on waste management and on the sustainable use of water, textiles and timber. It has an activity centre for pupils and downloadable teachers' notes on how to use the materials. The resources are linked to the National Curriculum, but include information about their relevance to different age groups.

This site has some excellent primary and secondary resources. Look in the 'Nature for Schools' section for easy-to-use, downloadable lesson plans and ideas for activities that link to various subjects. Lessons include 'A Sustainable Lunch Box' and 'Our Living Environment', which considers the declining number of House Sparrows.

This section of the UK Environment Agency's website contains a series of interactive animations and games on environmental themes including climate change, food and population, waste and recycling.

FSC is an educational charity committed to bringing environmental understanding to all. As well as resources and data sets, the website has details of its 'outdoor classrooms' in Kindrogan, Scotland, for students of biology and geography at Standard Grade, Higher and Advanced Higher. FSC also runs professional development courses for teachers.

The Forestry Commission's main website has information about forests to visit, along with data and statistics about the forestry industry. See their Learning area for Forest Factfiles, a Tree Name Trail and an extensive guide to teaching resources relating to trees, woods and forests.

As a campaigning organisation, Friends of the Earth (FoE) has many resources about issues such as waste, pollution and renewable energy. Its factsheets and posters can be used to stimulate critical thinking and debate.

Friends of the Earth Scotland exists to help people in Scotland look after the planet for everyone’s  future. By thinking globally, and acting in Scotland, FoE Scotlnd aims to enable and empower people to take individual and collective action.

Grounds for Learning (GfL) is the school grounds charity for Scotland, helping schools and early years settings use and develop their grounds to promote positive play, learning and growth.

Sust.org is a website dedicated to sustainable design in architecture and the built environment. Look under 'Tools and Techniques' to find MySust.House, an interactive game about designing and building a sustainable house.

Archives of natural history, dinosaurs, biodiversity, photographer of the Year, School Education Service.

Development, relief and campaigning organisation dedicated to finding lasting solutions to poverty and suffering around the world. Cool Planet section has many great resources for teachers and young people.

This US site is published by Planet 21, an NGO funded by the UN and other international organisations. It covers global issues of population, poverty, health, consumption and the environment. Although not particularly structured for use by schools, it does have content that will be of interest to teachers and upper secondary students, with overviews, newsfiles, factfiles, downloadable photos, and current scientific data.

A site for 7-11 year olds where they can explore the world of animals and look at topics relating to endangered species and habitats. There are fact files, games and video clips. The site is part of ARKive (www.arkiveeducation.org.uk), which has downloadable lesson plans and other support materials.

The Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) is a Scottish Educational charity that aims to create the opportunity for each child in Scotland to learn first hand about the countryside and to ensure wider understanding of the environmental, economic and social realities of the countryside in Scotland. Key activities include farm visits for schools and other young people’s groups, speakers and resource production, mainly for primary schools. RHET also arranges school visits to the Royal Highland Show and manages the network of 12 Countryside Initiatives which deliver programmes and activities locally.

The RSPB is a UK charity working to secure a healthy environment for birds and wildlife, helping to create a better world for us all. The information and activities provided on this site link directly to individual subject curricula, but may also be useful across subject boundaries. The materials provided are suitable for all UK countries and are available in English and Welsh.

The Scottish Water website has information and news about water provision in Scotland.

The Sustainable Development Education (SDE) Network is the Scottish network for organisations and individuals involved in sustainable development education.  Members are committed to enabling people to acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to build a fair, just and equitable society that is living within the environmental limits of our planet. The Network brings together those involved in sustainable development education and the related fields of environmental, development, citizenship, global and outdoor education.

The Waste Aware Schools website promotes waste reduction, reuse and recycling in Scottish schools. It is targeted at pupils of primary, secondary and special schools, as well as staff. The 'Pupil Zone' section contains lots of information about waste, including interactive recycling journeys that show the process of recycling various materials. Fun facts, games and creative activities will add to pupils' enjoyment of learning about reducing, reusing and recycling waste. The staff section contains information on how to set up recycling within schools, details of the benefits of reducing, reusing and recycling, and links to teaching resources, companies that sell waste aware products and other waste education sites.

This site provides information about a variety of wind power technologies. There is a clear animated section for children called 'Wind with Miller', in which shows how a wind turbine works. There is an accompanying downloadable teachers' guide.

WWF continues to play a prominent role in raising awareness of sustainable development issues and has published many relevant educational resources. Request a copy of Learn, a new termly poster resource, and visit the Resource Centre for other materials. These include the Data Support Series and Linking Thinking – a resource for teachers who are seeking a more in-depth understanding of systems and relational thinking.

The Young People's Trust for the Environment aims to encourage young people's understanding of the environment and the need for sustainability. The download area for Animal and Environmental Factsheets covers a large number of topics: from Amphibians to Zebras, Acid Rain, Biodiversity and Zoos. School membership is free and includes a termly e-bulletin for teachers.