In 2012, the Olympic and Paralympic games will be held in London. These resources look at a wide range of topics that can all be linked to the games. They cover science, technology, engineering and mathematics and can be used in individual lessons or as part of a cross-curricular Olympic and Paralympic theme.

This Catalyst article looks at how computer games make increasingly sophisticated use of the laws of physics to produce convincing on-screen effects. From calculating the angle that a ball bounces off a wall to modelling the frictional forces on a rally car, physics has always played a part in the development of...

From The Centre for Industry Education Collaboration (CIEC), this guide provides practical information and advice about organising a visit to a local science-based industry. Visits can be engaging, stimulating and profitable for the students, teachers and companies...

This book from the Association for Science Education (ASE) covers the history of the discovery of electrons, the underlying science and its applications.The units suggest a variety of activities, including questions, data analysis, reading comprehension and discussion.

Contents of this book:

Unit 1: J...

This Science upd8 activity offers an opportunity to test students' understanding of the solar system, and their skills as independent enquirers, problem solvers and effective communicators. Students are part of an earth-bound team set the task of interpreting a range of data relating to the solar system/universe....

This online ecology practical, from SAPS, uses random sampling to measure the abundance of various different species on an area of grassland.

Objectives

To give students practice at

• using random sampling to measure the abundance of various different species on an area of...

In this resource from SAPS, students learn about random sampling, diversity and different measures of abundance, before looking at close-up photographs of quadrats and using the field guide to identify them. The resources are intended to help students develop skills and plant identification techniques before going...

This online ecology practical, by SAPS, is designed to give students an opportunity to see how systematic sampling can be used to

• investigate changes in species richness across a footpath
• the distribution of species across a footpath

These online exercises are not intended as a...

In this video, Cathie Wells from the University of Reading talks about how she is helping aircraft conserve fuel which reduces greenhouse gas emissions by making use of high resolution forecasts of three dimensional wind speeds in the atmosphere. In the associated activity, students are asked to calculate the best...

The purposes of this Revised Nuffield Chemistry option were to review the historical development of a field of chemistry with special reference to its applied and social aspects; to study the life and work of one or more famous scientists working in the field; to create an interest in the original writings of...

The first option of Revised Nuffield Chemistry explored the remarkable properties of water and sought to explain them in terms of the polarity of water molecules and hydrogen bonding. Experiments also investigated the properties of detergents and hardness of water. A further topic was the monitoring of water...

Experimental work in this Revised Nuffield Chemistry option explored the characteristic properties of different types of colloid. The everyday importance of colloids was emphasised and this included a section about cosmetics.

Contents

1. What is a colloid?

2. Sols and gels...

This was a new option for Revised Nuffield Chemistry. Preparative practical work included the production of chloroform and aspirin as well as the extraction of caffeine from tea. Analytical practical work included titrations and applications of TLC.

Contents

1. Drugs from natural...

This Revised Nuffield Chemistry option dealt with physical metallurgy, It related important engineering properties of metals to their structures. Practical work includes casting metals, tensile testing and heat treatment.

Contents

1. Metals are crystalline

2. How do metal...

This revised Nuffield Chemistry option began with everyday plastics and sought to demonstrate, measure and explain their properties. Thermoplastics were distinguished from thermosets and the differences explained in terms of the structure and bonding of polymers. A historical section showed how natural materials...