This Mathematics Matters case study looks at how mathematicians work with epidemiologists to understand the spread of infections and mitigate their effects. Epidemics can threaten the lives of both humans and animals, so it is essential that we react swiftly to any outbreaks. Mathematicians play a key role in...

This resource investigates modelling and constructing pulley systems designed to lift loads.

Suggested learning outcomes include:

• To be able to recognise and describe the main parts of a pulley system.
• To understand how a pulley system can reduce the effort needed to lift a load.
...

This Core Maths task involves the analysis of mortgage repayments and requires the calculation of percentages and the use of a spreadsheet.

A help sheet is included in the materials for students who are not confident with spreadsheets.

...

In order to avoid predators, the caterpillars of some species of moths rest during the day by masquerading as twigs, well-camouflaged and keeping their bodies rigid and still. The aim of the investigation is to determine if caterpillars of the peppered moth show a preferred angle of rest. Students look at a series...

This resource looks at how mystery objects can be used in class to introduce a topic, introduce new scientific equipment or vocabulary, or to explore changes in science and technology over time. Ideas are provided for effective questioning and how to structure the activity.

This careers case study describes the work of Social Sciences Researcher Dr Annie Tinsley. She describes her work at Caledonian University, where she is the lead researcher and with overall responsibility for coordinating the work, budgetary matters and publishing of papers and articles. Annie has worked on worked...

This Mathematics Matters case study, from the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, looks at how mathematical network theory helps to improve connections for global transport, internet and telephony networks. Modern society relies heavily on a variety of networks, but we don’t fully understand how they...

A case study from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) archives which considers fingerprinting and DNA profiling, the cornerstones of crime detection. Now new techniques, pioneered by EPSRC-supported researchers, are set to take these methods to a whole new level. The Light It Up project...

Produced in 2015, this resource looks at glass microspheres, which contain radioactive Y-90, and are currently being used to treat liver cancer in humans, where their chemical durability is of prime importance.

This...

This activity, from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), allows students to compare old and new technologies (railway five-pointer telegraph against the SMS message) to experience how significant the advances in technology have been. The nature of...

This STEMNET resource describes the background and career of STEM Ambassador David Bennett, a design engineer at a nuclear power station.

David's role is to ensure that any modifications made to the nuclear power plant improve safety and efficiency. He started work after gaining a degree in Mechanical...

Mathcentre provide this numeracy refresher resource, which was developed and trialled by staff of the University of Birmingham Careers Centre and subsequently used widely throughout the HE Sector. There are sections which review decimals, fractions, averages, percentages and ratios, making it a useful resource for...

Many sea creatures such as crabs and shell fish are affected greatly by the levels of acid and temperatures of the ocean they live in as it prevents their outer shell development. This can lead to a depletion in numbers and a knock on effect along the food chain.

These resources include practical activities...

In this resource from SAPS, students learn about random sampling, diversity and different measures of abundance, before looking at close-up photographs of quadrats and using the field guide to identify them. The resources are intended to help students develop skills and plant identification techniques before going...

This online ecology practical, by SAPS, is designed to give students an opportunity to see how systematic sampling can be used to

• investigate changes in species richness across a footpath
• the distribution of species across a footpath

These online exercises are not intended as a...