A statistical graphic from the Gatsby Foundation which demonstrates the chronic shortage of physics teachers across the UK and which looks at the various campaigns to address this shortfall over the past few years.

This article, by L. Chapman, published in June 2002,  presents a small-scale case study of science assessment for students with special educational needs. The discussion is based on the appropriateness of the assessments as a means of monitoring achievement and in setting targets. It is argued that National...

This Catalyst article looks at X-ray free electron lasers that generate intense beams of X-rays and are used to reveal the structure of complex molecules.

This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2016, Volume 27, Issue 2.

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This Catalyst article focuses on the Gorteria, a South African daisy which shows great variation in its flowers. It attracts bee flies to pollinate it. It has been used to test theories of evolution.

This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2016, Volume 27, Issue 2.

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Theory Into Practice, from the Nuffield Foundation, was published in the early 1970s when there were significant developments both in the style of science teaching in schools and in the arrangements for teaching education and professional development. The resource includes activities designed to help teachers to...

This activity introduces the idea that climate change is leading to a greater risk of flooding due to higher levels of rainfall in a short period of time. The main part of the activity is a design challenge for the pupils highlighting how...

These two short videos, produced by the National STEM Learning Centre, illustrate the process of thermal conductivity. The first video shows a demonstration of thermal conductivity using ice, plastic and aluminium...

RAL Space is the UK’s national space laboratory where our thermal engineers and technicians help design and build spacecraft. They make sure that the components will work correctly and are protected in the extreme temperatures of space by using a special type of insulation. In this activity and presentation, pupils...

A pair of videos that studies the thermal insulation properties of bubble wrap. This first video allows students to see an experiment that investigates how increasing the number of layers of bubble wrap around a beaker affects the cooling of hot water. The second explains how to interpret the data, plot the graph...

In this Catalyst article, Mike Follows describes the surprising range of thermometers available to scientists today.

Many physical properties of materials depend on temperature. Thermometers are vital for measuring body temperature. The body's biochemical reactions work best at 37°C and the body is in...

This Science upd8 activity illustrates practical applications of classroom science in the context of using sustainable building materials, and highlights several related various career routes. Students become members of a consultancy firm which specialises in sustainable building projects. They have to use their...

Work done in this Nuffield 13 - 16 module followed from the B unit called ‘Machines and engines’ and the S unit ‘Fuels’. This X unit provided enough material for eight double periods. It could be selected to complete either a Science or a Further Science course. The...

Cambridge University glaciologist Professor Julian Dowdeswell has spent three years of his life in the Polar Regions.

As Director of the Scott Polar Research Institute at the University of Cambridge, this film follows him to Greenland and the Antarctic as his...