The THYME project has developed a range of resources for schools. These aim to introduce pupils to the concept of the bioeconomy and explain why it is important for the future health of our planet.
The materials can be linked a number of areas of the National Curriculum for a variety of subjects including KS3 and GCSE and A Level Science, Business, Design and Technology, Engineering and Geography.
Thyme Education Resources
These education resources offer differentiated activities and lesson plans and are designed to make links with various subject curriculums, including geography, science, maths, English, citizenship and PSHE, as well as offering students an insight into potential careers in the Bioeconomy.
KS3 Resource pack – What is the Bioeconomy?
Activity pack – What is the Bioeconomy?
Lesson 1 slides – Will we ever run out?
Lesson 2 slides – What is the Bioeconomy?
Lesson 3 slides – Is it time to bin the plastic bag?
KS3 Resource pack – Applying the Bioeconomy to your own Environment
Activity pack – Applying the Bioeconomy to your own Environment
Lesson 1 slides – Is your school a Bioeconomy?
KS4 Resource pack – What is the Bioeconomy?
Activity pack – What is the Bioeconomy?
Lesson 1 slides – Will we ever run out?
Lesson 2 slides – What is the Bioeconomy?
Lesson 3 slides – Applying the Bioeconomy to your own Environment
KS4 Resource pack – Is our school a Bioeconomy?
Activity pack – Is our school a Bioeconomy?
Lesson 1 slides – Is our school a Bioeconomy?
Lesson 2 slides – The great debate
Lesson 3 slides – Taking action
THYME educational materials for schools
Bioeconomy board game: An educational board game for 3-12 players that challenges you to create value from waste and benefit your community. Suitable for ages KS4 to adult. Available to purchase from Focus Games.
Bioeconomy animations: We have created two short animated films designed to explain concepts around the bioeconomy, as well as wider issues around sustainability and the circular economy.
Bioeconomy electronic quiz: Get more waste into recycling and avoid sending it to landfill. Suitable for ages KS3 to adult. Available online.
Bioeconomy crosswords: Two crosswords containing bioeconomy terms. Suitable for KS3-4 and KS5. Available as a downloadable pdf.
Bioeconomy wordsearch: Suitable for KS3. Available as a downloadable pdf.
Fantastic bioplastic activity: A quiz which tests understanding of the differences between degradable, biodegradable and compostable plastic and a practical activity to make your own bioplastic. Suitable for KS3 and 4. Available as a downloadable pdf.
Clean and green soap: How did people get clean in the past? Learn about the history and science of soap. How it was ‘improved on’ in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries? How we can help the planet by going back to the humble bar of soap. Includes a practical activity to make your own soap using natural ingredients and fragrances (no lab required). Suitable for KS3 and 4. Powerpoint presentation and worksheets available as downloadable pdfs.
How to make money from orange peel: Understanding the drawbacks associated with disposal to landfill and how ‘waste’ materials can be processed to obtain valuable products and minimise environmental impacts. Suitable for KS3 and 4. Powerpoint, worksheets and resource sheet available as downloadable pdfs.
Bio batteries: How do conventional batteries work, what materials are used to manufacture them and why these are not great for the planet. Learn about how the Biorenewables Development Centre and others are making batteries from renewable resources and have a go at making your own using fruits and vegetables. Suitable for KS3 and 4. Information sheet available as a downloadable pdf.
Paint a fruity rainbow with homemade paints: Discover how to make watercolour paints using natural materials from your kitchen and garden and learn how scientists are using these materials to produce high value chemicals as part of the bioeconomy. Suitable for all ages. Video available here and information sheet as a downloadable pdf.
Use your loaf: What can we do to reduce the problem of the 1.2 million tonnes of bread that are thrown away annually? Learn how it can be used to create high value chemicals and even beer! Suitable for KS3 and 4. Information sheet available as a downloadable pdf.
Algae shoes: A resource for teachers to examine the eco-friendliness and sustainability of Vivobarefoot Ultra III Bloom shoes made from algae. Created by secondary school science teacher Ruby Leung and linked to the Biology and Chemistry curriculum. Suitable for A Level and GCSE triple science students. Available here.
Cups made from coffee: A resource for teachers to examine the sustainability of and carry out a Life Cycle Analysis on Kaffeeform cups made from coffee grounds. Created by secondary school science teacher Ruby Leung and linked to the Biology and Chemistry curriculum. Suitable for A Level and GCSE triple science students. Available here.
Minecraft Biorefinery World: We have built a Biorefinery world in Minecraft! If your school or workplace has signed up to the Minecraft Education Edition, see below for links to download and install. In the world you will learn about the biorefinery process of producing energy and food additives using organic biodegradable materials. Download and installation instructions are available via Google Drive or Dropbox.
‘How to’ films – activities for a sustainable school or community group: These three films show a community group trying out the activities and include an instructional voiceover from one of the group members:
- Watch ‘How to make a compost bin from pallets’
- Watch ‘How to make a wormery from pallets’
- Watch ‘How to make a HuglKultur bed for planting’
Careers Case Studies – We have created a series of short videos, designed to give an insight into different career options and pathways into the Bioeconomy:
- Watch Careers in the Bioeconomy – and introduction to the THYME Project interview series with role models from Dr Emma Peasland
- Watch Careers in the Bioeconomy – interview with an Animal Nutritionist
- Watch Careers in the Bioeconomy – interview with a Project Manager
- Watch Careers in the Bioeconomy – interview with a Device Technologist
- Watch Careers in the Bioeconomy – interview with a PhD researcher
Other educational materials
The Ellen MacArthur foundation have a range of teaching and learning resources to challenge secondary students to rethink the ‘take-make-waste’ economy and build a system that works long term. They have also developed resources for primary students.
The Bioeconomy Awareness and Discourse Project (BioCannDo) aims to increase awareness of bio-based products – products partly or wholly made of biomass. The project will develop and distribute communication and educational materials about the bioeconomy and bio-based products: articles, videos, information sheets and other items for a general audience.
Practical Action have developed free STEM science, design and technology resources focus on global issues including climate change, energy, food security and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Centre for Industry Education Collaboration (CIEC) based at the University of York creates and sustains links between school science and industry’s people and practices and have a range of freely available online resources for schools and companies.
MAINTENANT Sustaining Now is a social enterprise that produces card games to be used by individuals, schools and communities to understand the issues and solutions facing the world today.
Towards a Circular Economy. An engaging and accessible set of materials for secondary pupils that explain the concept of the circular economy. Created by a group of first year PhD students from the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Chemistry at the University of Nottingham.
Plantlet Culture grow plants in test tubes in a colourful nutrient rich gel. Kits available for Schools, Colleges, Science & STEM Clubs
If you have any schools materials that you would like us to include on this page, or have any queries please contact info@biovale.org
