A Catalyst article looking at climate change. In particular the science of phenology, the study of the times each year that certain life-cycle events occur, is examined. It involves recording data on when birds migrate, eggs hatch or when leaves change colour. If the climate is changing, the timing of these events...

A Catalyst article about what causes faults in electrical appliances and the wiring installations in homes, and why people receive electric shocks. How regulations can reduce the risk of electrical faults and electric shocks is also examined together with the use of fuses, fuse wire and modern RCDs (residual...

A Catalyst article about the UK's extremely reliable electricity supply system generated in power stations which burn gas or coal, or use nuclear fuel. The article looks at how this is achieved using high voltages and how the demands for power at different times of the day and year are met.

This article is...

Produced by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS), this case study looks at the theme of embedding functional skills. It describes how staff within the motor vehicle department of the City of Wolverhampton College were faced with the challenge of embedding functional skills within motor vehicle courses...

Produced by the Learning Skills Improvement Service, these materials help to demonstrate effective practice. This case study looks at the theme of knowledge and technology transfer. It describes how members of staff operating in the STEM area of Huntingdonshire Regional College were encouraged to embed and deliver...

Produced by the Learning Skills Improvement Service, these materials help to demonstrate effective practice. By Cambridge Regional College, this case study looks at the themes of functional skills, equality, engineering and mathematics.

The aim of the project was to work with staff to raise awareness of the...

Produced by LSIS, this report and associated materials describe a research programme aimed at supporting and disseminating effective practical work in further education science classrooms. This report summarises the key findings from action research projects carried out...

This publication, from Warwick University, reports on the STEM Careers Awareness Timeline Pilot. The Timeline project seeks to establish how schools can embed a more systematic programme of careers awareness into the existing subject curriculum. The report gives emerging findings from working with stakeholders and...

Produced by the Learning Skills Improvement Service (LSIS), this case study looks at the theme of curriculum development. From the Isle of Wight College, it shows how the explicit embedding of science into a vocational qualification helps to develop an appreciation of the role of science in construction. The...

This collaborative project by the Royal Statistical Society and the Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education presents findings from an analysis of statistics in five recently reformed A levels in England. The aim of the report was to investigate whether the recent reforms will result in improvements in the...

Produced by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS), this case study looks at the themes of knowledge and technology transfer, enrichment and enhancement in STEM and employer engagement. It describes a project at Petroc, a large further education college in Devon. Sustainable development education covers...

From the Learning Skills Improvement Service (LSIS), this document summarises their Exploring Improvements in Teaching and Learning Through Employer Engagement project. It looked at developing links between institutions and employers in the Post-16 sector. The outcomes of the project can be seen in the series of...

This report represents the culmination of a year’s worth of work through a literature review, workshops and surveys looking at employer engagement in schools. It aims to draw out current best practice and make recommendations on next steps to share that more widely. It forms part of a strategic direction taken by...

There is widespread agreement about the importance of mathematics for individuals and for wider society. The Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education (ACME) believes that all students should receive high quality mathematics teaching from teachers who are themselves professional learners. A world-class education...

Produced by the Learning Skills Improvement Service (LSIS), this case study looks at the theme of harnessing technology. It describes how Highbury College moved the use of their virtual learning environment (VLE) from being mostly a document repository to a vehicle for interactive teaching, learning and assessment...