This report was commissioned by the National Curriculum Council to look at the developments in design and technology education, soon after it was introduced to the National Curriculum. The article outlines some general features of the design and technology curriculum and looks at the importance of managerial as...

Published in 1989 by Her Majesty's Inspectorate (HMI), this report looks at the changes in science teaching from the mid-seventies to the late-eighties and discusses how further improvements could be achieved. It is based on observations made by HMI during the inspection of 300 primary schools in England, and from...

This case study explores the intention of a provider to engage young learners in engineering and technology. Key to the project was the involvement of parents, employers and a range of STEM Ambassadors. Information on career pathways in engineering being the focus, an innovative approach in making engineering...

Published in December 2013.  The ASPIRES study sought to shed new light on our understanding of how young people’s aspirations develop over the 10-14 age period, exploring in particular what influences the likelihood of a young person aspiring to a science-related career.

This report presents key findings...

This report, published in 2009, is based on a seminar held in London in 2008 at the Nuffield Foundation. It discusses why teaching ethics in science is important and examines approaches to the assessment of ethics in science considering key issues, such as the importance of ethical debate in science classes, the...

Produced by the Learning Skills Improvement Service (LSIS), this case study tackles the themes of progression through STEM and assessment for learning in A2 biology. By SRC Bede Sixth Form College, it describes how the following were investigated:
* Learners’ perceptions of the effectiveness of comment-only...

This resource is a summary of a seminar organised by SCORE (Science Community Representing Education) in November 2009. The seminar aimed to discuss the purpose and methods of assessment of practical work in science. It also looked at the current GCSE specifications and the key philosophical differences of the...

This Catalyst article investigates possible careers in astronomy and space science. It provides some information on a number of academic courses leading to an exciting career in astronomy; the article also lists places to visit for those with general interest in astronomy.

This article is from Catalyst: GCSE...

A Catalyst article about using an AFM to image surfaces. The article comprises an annotated diagram of the microscope.

This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2005, Volume 16, Issue 2.

Catalyst is a science magazine for students...

Published in 2010 by the Wellcome Trust, this report considers students’ and parents’ views of testing and assessment in science at Key Stage Two in England and Wales. The research was carried out by the School of Education at Queen’s University Belfast over a period in which the Key Stage Two science SAT was...

Since 2000, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and its predecessor Departments have been responsible for funding the Public Attitudes to Science series of attitudinal surveys.

This survey provides information about what the public thinks about science, scientists and science policy...

This film tells the story of how DNA sequencing was used to identify the gene BRAF. Clinical researcher Ultan McDermott tells the story of how scientists at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute discovered a specific mutation in the BRAF gene, which is found in around half of malignant melanoma cases. He...

A Catalyst article about biologists looking for patterns in the distribution of barnacle species on the sea shore. Barnacles are arthropods which live as tiny larvae in the sea and then cement themselves, head down, on suitable rocks, build a shell, poke their legs out of the top of it and start to filter feed. The...

A Catalyst article about Darwin's travels on the Beagle which gave him ideas about evolution. Darwin spent almost five years on board HMS Beagle as it sailed around the world. The purpose of the voyage was to map navigation channels around the coast of South America. Darwin was the ship’s naturalist and companion...

A Catalyst article about gaining Chartered Engineer status. The process from application through education to professional experience is explained.

This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2009, Volume 19, Issue 4.

Catalyst is a...