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...

Ofsted survey report investigating why many of the most able students from non-selective schools fail to achieve their potential.

A floor plan is shown from a museum. The challenge is to place two security guards so that they will be able to keep watch on the whole museum

This puzzle provides an introduction to simultaneous equations in three variables. Three combinations of coins are shown, together with the total value for each pair. The challenge is to calculate the value of each coin.

This task is designed to assess how well students understand various aspects of the number system.

There are a series of short tasks on using a calculator, working with fractions, directed numbers, and extending a multiplication fact.

As an example:

12345679 x 27 = 333 333 333

and...

With just one fold of a square piece of paper, is it possible to make a triangle and a quadrilateral? Two quadrilaterals? A triangle and a pentagon? A further challenge asks students to explore the combination of shapes that can be made by using two folds of a square.

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...

This puzzle provides a gentle introduction to simultaneous equations. Three pictures are given that show different combinations of three items from a menu, together with the total price for each meal. The challenge is to work out the cost of each item.