In these STFC resources, students discover fascinating facts about materials and their properties. The Key Stage Three resources look at the many different facets of cement. The Key Stage Four resources examine ethics and science of oil drilling, oil being the basis for the plastics industry. The resource also...

The Science and Technology Facilities Council offers a variety of lessons to support secondary teaching of space science. The Key Stage Three resources consist of nine lessons based on the QCA programme of study:

•Our solar system
•Moving Earth
•Using models
•Because I said so!
•Is...

A Catalyst article about light pollution which is a growing problem, especially for astronomers, obscuring the view of the Moon, stars and planets. Astronomers are campaigning to reduce the pollution and bring the night sky back into view. With the aid of statistics the article makes the case for better street...

This activity allows students to investigate how images are produced from data streams by using first a spreadsheet and then an image-processing program. They then go on to see how the usefulness of such a monochromatic image may be enhanced by using lookup tables and calibration. The materials used focus on the...

Work done in this Nuffield 13 to 16 module followed from the unit called ‘Senses’. This B unit provided enough material for six double periods in the third year of secondary school (year nine). The teachers’ guide included 11 worksheets to supplement the students’ booklet. The general introduction in the teachers’...

As transistors become smaller, the doping of semi-conductors becomes a significant challenge. This Catalyst article looks at how Scanning Tunnelling Microscopes can be used to manipulate individual atoms, to create electronic devices of unprecedented accuracy. The technique could also be used to fabricate quantum...

This booklet is part of the ‘Innovations in Practical Work’ series published by the Gatsby Science Enhancement Programme (SEP) and produced in partnership with the British Geological Survey. Earthquakes release huge amounts of stored energy, causing movements of the...

A Catalyst article about a group of young scientists testing scientific claims in advertising. The group thought many claims sounded implausible. They decided to hunt for the scientific evidence behind them and challenge the manufacturers to explain how the products work. The article outlines the investigations...

The materials in this resource are from the Secondary National Strategy ‘Progressing to Level 6 and beyond in science’ project. They were intended as guidance for senior school leaders in a school undertaking the Level 6+ project.

This video introduces Paul, a senior composites engineer for Lola Cars International. Paul explains his role in designing the structures that are made of carbon fibre for race cars such as the one featured in the video. He discusses the love of engineering he had when he was younger and how his maths, physics and...

After school, Amy initially studied childcare for two years before embarking upon a career in a pharmacy.  After 2 years training to be a...

Yao studied Ancience Chinese music at University. She applied for the role in Quality assurance as the role looked interesting and varied. Having had great opportunities to advance in her career, she is now involved in quality control, customer satisfaction and managing the...

This Nuffield 13 - 16 module is one for the start of the three-year programme. This B unit provided enough material for six double periods in the third year of secondary school (year nine). The teachers’ guide included six worksheets to supplement the students’ booklet...

The joy and challenge of building ‘cheap and cheerful’ sensors has a wide appeal to adults as well as children. It also opens a wide number of links to aspects of the mathematics, science, computing, design and technology, and engineering curricula, supporting scientific investigation and discovery. These...