Alison Foster has combined her education in Chemistry with her love of plants to engage in some exciting projects at the University of Oxford Botanic Gardens. This Catalyst article gives a profile of her career choices, and introduces a public engagement activity called Chemistry in the Garden.

Alison began...

This physics extension module from the Salters' Science course deals with binary digital electronic devices, taking a systems approach. Ideas of input, output and control are considered and the concept of feedback. The use of logic gates to control switches and latches...

This Catalyst article investigates materials used in jet engines. They must withstand high temperatures and great forces. Special alloys are used for structures such as turbine blades. The article is from Catalyst:...

The aim of this Ofsted survey was to analyse the elements of successful alternative provision. Alternative provision has been defined as education outside school, arranged by local authorities or schools. For the purpose of this survey, alternative provision was defined as something in which a young person...

Alternatives for Science Education was produced and published by the Association for Science Education (ASE) in 1979. Its sub-title, A Consultative Document, indicates its aim and status. In addition to being a document of considerable historical interest, it contains arguments of continued relevance.

The...

A Catalyst article about aluminium, a shiny silvery metal, which is extracted from its ore by electrolysis. Further addition of other metallic elements results in an alloy, which can be cast into various shapes using moulds. The article looks at the processes of extraction, casting, patterns, moulds and finishing...

The resource pack is produced by The Centre for Industry Education Collaboration (CIEC). It looks at the life-cycle and environmental impact of aluminium products.

Student activities and investigations help to illustrate curriculum science in real-life contexts. This includes:
* Constructing a cradle...

These diagnostic questions and response activities (contained in the zip file) support students in being able to:

• Identify the elementary entities that make up one mole of a range of substances.
• Recognise that the atoms which make up different elements have different masses.
• Interpret...

In separate documents, this resource provides guidance for teachers to plan for progression of students aged 11-16, based on the National Strategies Framework for Secondary Science Learning Objectives. Each learning objective is given further explanation under the heading ‘Pupils could learn to … ’ 

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This Catalyst article describes an experiment with fluoride toothpaste on eggshells (as a substitute for teeth). Both teeth and eggs contain calcium compounds which can be attacked by acid. When an egg is put in vinegar the shell is weakened by the acid making it soft and more fragile. When teeth are exposed to...

Produced by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service, these materials introduce students to circuit symbols. They develop their knowledge and understanding of circuit symbols and components through a range of short, interactive learning activities. These are particularly useful to reinforce, or consolidate,...

This report, published by the Nuffield Foundation in July 2009, examines the major issues of policy and practice surrounding applied science qualifications, taking account of empirical evidence where it is available. The report is centred on the following questions:

• what is distinctive about applied...

This resource for Key Stage Three and Key Stage Four students provides some statistics about the eating habits of children in Italy and asks students to compare and contrast these with their own eating habits. Through this activity, students have to interpret charts and graphs, plan how to collect data and design a...