This paper, published in 2012, presents the emerging findings from a qualitative investigation into the impact on learners of the subject-specific continuing professional development undertaken by teachers at the National Science Learning Centre based in York, England. The paper presents the research findings from...

Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) have produced a series of resources looking at the consequences of climate change. In this activity, students investigate the functions and importance of trees. Activities look at the functions of different parts of trees as well as the overall importance of trees....

If a large force is needed, a simple machine can be used to convert a small force into a large force but requires that the small force move a larger distance and the large force a correspondingly smaller distance. The amount by which the small force is multiplied is known as the mechanical advantage. This principle...

The magic of…is a collection of four resources, produced by Queen Mary College at the University of London, designed for teachers to use in the classroom with the intention of making learning engaging and entertaining. The four resources are all linked to the relevant curricula and provide inspiration when teaching...

This is a nice example of an animation produced by students to explain one impact of climate change - ocean acidification.  You could link with a local university department to enrich a project like this, as has been done in this case - Ridgeway School in Plymouth ...

This resource provides a lesson plan showing how to use enquiry based instruction to teach the particulate nature of matter. The approach used in the lesson is based on education research which is summarised in a separate research summary document.

The lesson leads pupils through a series of activities....

This lesson plan and classroom presentation explores some of the skills and knowledge needed to work in the field of biomechanical engineering. Combining knowledge from Biology, Design and Technology and Engineering, it asks students to investigate the design and development of a prosthetic arm. 

The...

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

• Describe what a light ray represents
• Describe the direction in which light travels from a light source
• Describe how light rays are emitted from each point on an extended...

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.

Hold a ruler or speed of light indicator, to test your reaction times by working in pairs with one student holding the ruler at...

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...

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...