Alan Yate is a freelance science and technology author and editor who also works for the Open University, as a tutor-counsellor in the Technology Faculty. He has a BA and an MA degree and is a Teacher Fellow of the I.Mech.E.

Alan has 30 years' teaching experience in science education, including 23 years as a Head of Science in a comprehensive school in Cambridge. He has produced over 60 projects published for Primary, Secondary and Tertiary sectors of education in the areas of science, technology, engineering and information and communication technology.

Alan has appeared on television to publicise software he designed for use in schools and has considerable experience in writing materials for sponsored educational resources. His main responsibility on the SunBlock '99 team is to ensure that the educational content and language are suitable for the target age range. He has been carrying out extensive field trials of the Sun Block '99 material with youngsters and this feedback has been invaluable. Alan is also a very active member of the community. He plays the drums in a jazz band at social events, the village pantomime, and just for the sheer fun of it.