This Catalyst article looks at 3D printing, a new technology which is rapidly finding applications. Although probably too slow for mass production it is useful for producing prototypes and tailor-made items. In a 3D printer, layers of polymer beads are printed one on top of the other. Heat melts the polymer beads...

A Catalyst article about the human gut and the many microbes it hosts, mainly bacteria. Probiotics are live bacterial ingredients or supplements designed to multiply in the colon and have an impact on health. A prebiotic is a carbohydrate that is not digestible by humans. The article examines the role they play,...

Problem Solving with Industry originally consisted of 30 short problem-solving exercises devised by the Centre for Science Education Sheffield Hallam University in collaboration with a range of industries. A selection of these units were updated and revised to match the...

In this  extended five hour communities and fire safety challenge, students work in small groups, to design, make, test and evaluate an electronic system to provide early warning in the event of a fire breaking out. They...

A Catalyst article describing how process chemists work in the pharmaceutical industry, devising methods of making new drugs. Process chemists are a link in the chain from an initial idea to a new drug making it to the market. It generally takes at least 10 years from an idea by a medicinal chemist to a new...

A presentation to support a project to design and make a useful item that incorporates throwaway materials. 

Produced by The Centre for Industry Education Collaboration (CIEC), this set of activities allows students to investigate the properties of polymers in relation to the design requirements for a sleeping bag.

Students carry out an investigation of the design and manufacture of sleeping bags as a product...

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

• Identify what vibrates to make sound

• Describe the effect of larger vibrations on a sound

• Describe the effect of faster or slower vibrations on a...

This collection of STEM education reports explores professional development across the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM subjects). The reports include:

A recommended code of governance for schools: a flexible framework for strategic planning

Space for technicians?

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The videos in this collection from Teachers TV are aimed at secondary school science teachers. They contain advice and guidance on pedagogy, lesson planning, organising science in and out of the classroom and other areas of teaching and learning. They are useful to both newly qualified and experienced teachers....

The videos in this collection from teachers TV are intended for primary science practitioners. They contain advice and guidance on pedagogy, lesson planning, organising science in and out of the classroom and other areas of teaching and learning. They are useful to both newly qualified and experienced teachers....

‘Quality assurance of teachers’ continuing professional development’ looks at lessons from other quality assurance systems, and how they could be applied to teachers’ CPD in England.