This video features Chris Clemente, from Cambridge University, who is studying the mechanisms that ants and other insects (especially cockroaches) use to walk down as well as up walls. Ants have incredibly sticky feet.

With them they can hang onto ceilings, whilst carrying 100 times their body weight. But if...

The Stimulating Physics Programme ran from May 2006 to July 2009. Run by the Institute of Physics, with funding from HEFCE, the pilot programme's core aims were to find ways of increasing the numbers of students taking physics at A-level and progressing onto a degree in physics.

In 2009 the Department for...

An overview of the pilot Stimulating Physics Programme, funded by HEFCE from 2006-2009 and led by the Institute of Physics.

The Institute of Physics worked with the  Career Development Organisation to produce activities aimed at improving students' attitude towards physics, and awareness of career routes.

The project developed two packs for use in schools with the help of the...

The pilot programme sought to increase students' uptake of physics through two distinct but complementary strands, 'Access' work with Higher Education Institutions, and 'Demand' work with clusters of schools.

Access
The Institute of Physics worked with Higher Education Institutions to improve the...

This video clip illustrates the experience of mentors and school students ('mentees') who took part in online mentoring scheme created by the Institute of Physics and delivered together with The Brightside Trust.  The scheme allows school students to be assigned ...

This podcast from the Natural Environment Research Council's (NERC) Planet Earth collection looks at why scientists are working with the National Trust to restore the chalk grasslands around Stonehenge; how scientists are using satellites to study microscopic plants; and the etiquette of dining and bullying in...

Stop the spread is a new STEM challenge for students aged 7 to 16. Highlighting the global issue of infectious disease students design, build and test a model of a hand washing device and produce educational materials for children in Kenya to encourage hand washing. It is accredited for the British Science...

A study published in 2016 in the Journal of Educational Psychology looks at the impact of “struggle stories” on success in science. Students who think that success in science is only possible with exceptional talent may become unmotivated and, for example, turn away from the idea of studying science in...

A series of case studies from the Medical Research Council (MRC) which demonstrate the impact of research on society.

There are many factors that influence the healthcare we receive at the doctor's surgery - the story usually begins with discoveries by scientists working in laboratories. Once scientists spot...

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. For each learning objective there is further explanation to help teachers to help students make progress, and ‘...

This resource from the Department of Education consists of five teacher self-study units which were produced to offer practical suggestions for classroom use on: using group talk and argument; active questioning; improving the learning climate; using models and...