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...

One of a series of articles for post-16 students published by Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS). Plants monitor the intensity, direction, colour and duration of the light they receive and use this information to adapt their growth and metabolism to their particular environment. Most plant responses to light...

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...

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...

A collection of images representing semi conservative DNA replication:

Illustration depicting semi-conservative DNA replication 1. Three generations of DNA are shown. After separation of the DNA double helix, two new complementary DNA strands are synthesised (indicated by a new colour)....

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 booklet contains a range of suggested teaching activities and contexts for teaching about sensors at A level. Curriculum links include current, potential difference, resistance, conductance, e.m.f., power, potential divider, circuits, symbols, electrical characteristics, potential dividers, resistivity,...

This multimedia package was developed by the Gatsby Science Enhancement Programme to support and extend the teaching of sensors to students aged 14-19. The development and use of sensors is a rapidly growing area. Students should already have some familiarity with sensors through their use in a classroom context in...

This resource contains the fourth session of the Active Approaches to Level Three Applied Science, produced by the Science Learning Centres and the Nuffield Foundation. The session looks at developing assignments, their learning objectives and structure and warns against malpractice and plagiarism. It also...

This resource contains the first session of the Active Approaches to Level Three Applied Science, produced by the Science Learning Centres and the Nuffield Foundation. The session includes two activities: Gallery of quotes and Making sense of texts.

*Gallery of quotes - students are asked to read and...

This resource contains the third session of the Active Approaches to Level Three Applied Science, produced by the Science Learning Centres and the Nuffield Foundation. The session looks at the use of scenarios to provide a real-world context, make connections between theory and practice and develop critical...

This resource contains the second session of the Active Approaches to Level Three Applied Science, produced by the Science Learning Centres and the Nuffield Foundation, and concentrates on the issues of health and safety and risk assessments. The session identifies suitable practicals and includes activities.

The human population of Earth has reached seven billion. This Catalyst article explores the impact that human activity may have on the planet. The article looks at the rate of population growth and how human impact is also related on the amount of resources used by an individual. It considers if the effects of...

Published by the Wellcome Trust, this issue explores the biological basis of sex differences and the relationship between sex and gender.

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