Teach fusion energy
We aim to reach learners at all levels of education to help them see the opportunities for themselves in the fusion workforce.
UKAEA’s Outreach team aim to increase awareness and education of fusion energy.
Our team members oversee educational visits to UKAEA, and also attend schools, colleges and science festivals to inspire and excite the next generation.
To support the teaching of fusion energy, we have put together a list of free, downloadable classroom resources. These resources are appropriate for a variety of learners, from fusion novices to those on the pathway to a future career in STEM.
We’ve categorised the resources into school stages which can be interchangeable, depending on your class’s prior knowledge of fusion energy.
All ages
Fusion: Powering the future? (PDF, 4MB)
Introductory presentation around fusion including the concept, the science and its challenges; followed by information on the UKAEA’s research, facilities and work.
Primary Schools
Materials testing
Materials testing workshop presentation (PDF, 4MB)
A presentation introducing fusion energy to primary aged pupils.
This resource gets children thinking about categorising scientists and engineers, and explores the different materials involved with fusion. Workshop activities include circuit building, magnetic materials and weighing materials. Additional resources include a teacher pack and activity worksheet.
Materials testing workshop teacher pack (PDF, 0.6MB)
Teacher pack to support learning around materials testing, linked to the Key Stage 2 Science curriculum. Contains activity ideas, equipment lists and risk assessments.
Materials testing pupil worksheet (PDF, 0.2MB)
Supporting worksheet for pupils to work their way through the materials activities.
Secondary Schools
Fusion for all
Fusion for all teachers’ pack (PDF, 3MB)
A pack of resources from The Fusion Cluster with links to KS3 and KS4 Physics curriculum and KS4 Chemistry curriculum.
Part 1 covers what is fusion, how does a fusion machine work and the challenges of fusion.
Energy options (PDF, 5MB)
A fact file of the UK’s various energy sources, exploring their advantages, disadvantages and greenhouse gas emissions.
What does a Fusioneer do? (PDF, 2MB)
Six case studies of individuals working in fusion. This pack is a way to engage all learners in fusion as it explores the different skills, interests and opportunities to become a Fusioneer.
Energy in science and society (PDF, 3MB)
Extra reading – how energy is used in our society and an in depth look into fusion.
Fusion for all activity instructions (PDF, 4MB)
Activities based around the Fusion Cluster Teachers Packs, parts 1-3. Aimed to engage your students in thinking about energy sources and their impact on the environment; reflection of what qualities students possess that could align to a future career in fusion.
Magnificent magnets and cool currents
Magnificent magnets and cool currents 1 (PDF, 1MB)
Presentation introducing states of matter and the use of magnetic field lines in a tokamak to explain fusion reactions.
Magnificent magnets and cool currents 2 (PDF, 6MB)
Supporting teacher pack containing workshop ideas for exploring how magnets and electricity interact and the challenges this presents inside a fusion machine. Activity ideas, curriculum links, kit lists, appendices and risk assessments included.
Radiation
Radiation Teachers’ Pack (PDF, 0.9MB)
Teacher pack to support learning around radiation, linked to the Key Stage 4 Science Curriculum. Resource covers atomic structures and their relevance to fusion energy. Contains five activity ideas with equipment list and risk assessments.
Case studies
A series of interviews with people working in fusion. These posters are a great visual resource for your classroom to engage children with post-16 studies and career guidance.
Suitability: Secondary Schools and Colleges
Case Study 1: From School to STEM (PDF, 0.1MB)
Assistant Project Manager, UKAEA.
Case Study 2: Fusion’s my new goal (PDF, 0.3MB)
Head of Communications, Tokamak Energy.
Case studies booklet (PDF, 14MB)
Hear from several fusioneers. Find out how they got their start and what part they play in developing fusion energy. Accompanying poster available.
The hottest jobs in the solar system poster (PDF, 14MB)
Classroom poster providing further careers information.
Supporting media links
The UKAEA YouTube channel is full of helpful videos to visually explain the science and technology behind fusion. Below you will find a selection of our top picks to introduce fusion to your students.
(122) Introducing Fusion Energy – YouTube 1:26
A snappy, exciting introduction to the concept of fusion.
Suitability: all ages.
JET Fusion Experiment: The Hottest Place in the Solar System 0:57
A look inside the JET fusion machine during a fusion experiment. This particular experiment was filmed in 2016 and shows how plasma reacts under low power conditions.
Suitability: all ages.
Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak (MAST) Upgrade first plasma in slow motion 1:01
A slowed down video of a fusion experiment within the Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak Upgrade (MAST Upgrade) based at the Culham Campus. The video shows the machine’s first official test.
Suitability: all ages.
A longer overview of fusion power including how its fuel is sourced, used and its impact.
Suitability: Secondary schools and colleges
Get updates on our events and resources
Fusion energy education
Get updates on all our events and resources