The benefits of membership of the IOM3 Schools Affiliate Scheme (SAS) have been boosted with the launch of a new microsite containing exclusive content for science and design technology teachers. The SAS was established in 1999 to provide support and resources to enrich the teaching of the materials, minerals and mining related topics in the 11-19 curriculum.

Schools Affiliate Scheme Manager Dr Diane Aston commented, 'The new microsite builds on the success of the SAS by adding a host of new content to help teachers bring the materials, minerals and mining topics to life. For the first time, several years' worth of original teaching resources prepared specially for Scheme members are now available to download. This includes the newsletter, published three times a year with details of courses for students and teachers, valuable resources that we have come across, an update of the Scheme and the dates we have available for schools visits.'

A new 'Support literature' section contains full-colour posters and booklets for download. The newsletters contain original technical articles and information about SAS conferences for teachers and pupils, competitions for schools and Institute local society activities. Each issue includes an Element Focus feature (looking at a specific element), which many schools use in their classrooms. It can also provide inspiration for students' project work.

The Scheme costs £30 per year to join. In addition to the newsletter, other resources and the new exclusive web archive, joining the SAS entitles a named teacher to receive a copy of the monthly Institute magazine Materials World, as well as access online peer-reviewed technical journals.

Further information

Schools Affiliate Scheme website
Materials World magazine