This Catalyst article investigates how scientists make images using colours to represent electromagnetic radiations which humans cannot see. Human eyes detect visible light, just a small region in the electromagnetic spectrum. Using scientific instruments, many other types of radiation can be detected. Different...

This activity introduces the idea of using family trees and symbols to represent the individuals in a family and identify who is affected by genetic conditions. Students can look at the family trees provided and discuss the different inheritance patterns for certain genes that cause genetic conditions (dominant,...

A Catalyst article about encountering the fossils of the bones or shells of individual animals embedded in sedimentary rocks. This article looks at some extraordinary fossils of plants and animals preserved together in an ecosystem - it is even possible to see the cells of which they were made. The article also...

This Catalyst article looks at the use of polymers in the manufacture of household items. The exciting thing about polymers is that it is possible to make polymers behave in so many different ways by organising their long chain molecules in different ways – polymers are the ultimate designer material. The article...

This booklet is part of the ‘Innovations in Practical Work’ series published by the Gatsby Science Enhancement Programme (SEP). Plastics – or polymers as they are more correctly called – look set to be the material of the future. Think of any product and it is likely that it consists, at least in part, of a polymer...

Faraday Challenges are designed to promote team work, curiosity and raise the profile of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects, so are particularly relevant as part of an enrichment and enhancement programme built into your curriculum.

This guide, from triple science support,...

Farming & Countryside Education (FACE) aims to educate children and young people about food and farming in a sustainable countryside. FACE works with members and partners to promote visits to farms, and to provide easy access to a wide range of high-quality educational resources and activities to complement...

This range of practical activities and resources provided by ASE is aimed to teach about plants and flowers in schools.Growing fast plants can provide rewarding results in a short time span and the ideas encourage all students to be involved with the activities....

Fat is essential. In these articles we get to grips with the world of fats and lipids to find out what they do, not just inside us and other organisms but also understand our dependence on fats and relationship with the world around us.

This Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) school briefing looks at how obesity is viewed by the general public and how the war on obesity could lead to discrimination on the grounds of a person's size and intolerance towards the over-weight. The briefing examines the possibly doubtful science that can colour...

A Catalyst article investigating a few of the uses of naturally occurring oils. These oils are extracted from animal fats or plant seeds and can be turned into a variety of compounds including soaps, fuel and margarine. The article looks at oils as fuels, their use in paint and detergents and problems with their...

A Catalyst article about what happens as plants grow. During their growth, plants remove compounds of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium from soil which need to be replaced to maintain the soil’s fertility. For centuries farmers have used organic manures, crop rotation or ploughed in specially grown crops; today...