Resources by Catalyst

Aluminium

A Catalyst article about aluminium, a shiny silvery metal, which is extracted from its ore by electrolysis. Further addition of other metallic elements results in an alloy, which can be cast into various shapes using moulds. The article looks at the processes of extraction, casting, patterns, moulds and finishing...

An Eggsperiment on Teeth

This Catalyst article describes an experiment with fluoride toothpaste on eggshells (as a substitute for teeth). Both teeth and eggs contain calcium compounds which can be attacked by acid. When an egg is put in vinegar the shell is weakened by the acid making it soft and more fragile. When teeth are exposed to...

Ancient Air in an Antarctic Ice Core

A Catalyst article about ice cores from Antarctica which contain air bubbles which record the changing atmosphere. The Antarctic ice sheet is over 3 kilometres thick; ice cores enable scientists to sample each year of snow fall in sequence. This evidence is vital in understanding how the climate is changing. The...

Animal Testing

A Catalyst article looking at how research using animals causes heated debate. New drugs must be safety tested on two species of animals, the article looks at how many experiments use animals and how they are regulated, scientific procedures and genetically modified animals.

This article is from Catalyst:...

Animal-Computer Interaction

This article investigates how scientists at the Open University are devising ways in which dogs can interact with electronic systems including computers. The article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2015, Volume 25, Issue 4.

Catalyst is...

Antibiotics on a Plate

This Catalyst article describes how bacterial colonies produce antibiotics and explains how their growth depends on the medium they grow on. Over sixty years ago, a Russian soil scientist called Selman Waksman discovered that soil bacteria belonging to the Streptomyces genus produce some very useful...

Anything but Junk

This article discovers how geneticists are beginning to discover the significance of junk DNA. The article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2015, Volume 25, Issue 4.

Catalyst is a science magazine for students aged 14-19 years. Annual...

Applying the Science

A Catalyst article about the role of environmental scientists working for a local authority. Climate change science needs to be applied to everyday life and this article explains how local authorities and their staff are often in the front line applying the science and making it work for public benefit.

This...

Aquaponics

This Catalyst article focuses on aquaponic systems, where fish and crop plants are grown in a system designed to minimise inputs.

This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2016, Volume 27, Issue 2.

Catalyst is a science...

Arctic Coral Reefs

A Catalyst article about recent expeditions to the Arctic Ocean which have revealed previously-unknown deep-sea coral reefs. The article explains how these havens of biodiversity survive, and how human activities are damaging them.

This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2007, Volume 18,...