This video explains the structure of DNA and the role of histones and methyl groups in deactivating one of the X chromosomes in a female.  The deactivation of one X chromosome is random. As mitosis reproduces cells, they may contain the X chromosome inherited from the father or the mother.  This can’t be seen in...

In this experiment, from Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS), students are required to make observations about wild oat seeds. Using a petri dish, glass jar, filter paper and water, students can recreate the conditions of a greenhouse. They can then observe the changes to direction of the awn (the long hair at...

The 2012 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine was won by Gurdon and Yamanaka, for their work on adult stem cells.

This Catalyst article explains how they discovered that a nucleus from an egg cell transplanted into a specialised cell can still develop into a fully functional organism. Yamanaka named these...

This  Catalyst article looks at the work of scientists who use biochemical and DNA analysis to learn more about how fungi cause dead wood to decay.

This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2016, Volume 26, Issue 4.

This set of ideas, resources and materials help students develop a greater understanding of the language used in science. Reinforcing keywords helps students to become more familiar with scientific vocabulary, enabling them to progress with more confidence. The approaches here could easily be used in other areas of...

This pack provides a stimulating way of learning about scientific journal articles and highlights the difference between ‘research’ and ‘review’ papers.

It is suggested that students start by watching a silent video showing an unusual behaviour in capuchin monkeys, ‘anointing’, for which there are various...

This collection of resources aimed at secondary school pupils includes a resource produced by Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS) to help put hayfever...

On World Bee day help to highlight the importance of bees to the environment and humankind with these useful resources which can be linked to a variety of subjects for different age ranges.

They include activities to help identify different species of bee and bee pollinated plants through to resources...

World Health Day is celebrated annually and each year draws attention to a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world. The date of 7 April marks the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1948.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) was founded on 7 April 1948 and is the United Nations agency that connects nations, partners and people so everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health.

These resources can be used with secondary-aged students to explore a range of ways in which we can keep...

These resources can be used to help support World Heart Day, a global campaign to encourage people to take charge of their heart health. This collection present games and practical activities for all ages to help children understand how their heart works and what they can do to look after it. The World Heart Day...

These resources can be used to help celebrate World Ocean Day which was started to encourage people to unite and take action to protect and restore the ocean. There are separate collections of resources for both primary and secondary aged pupils.

These resources can be used to help celebrate World Ocean Day which was started to encourage people to unite and take action to protect and restore the ocean.

Some of the resources look at how changes in the climate affect the oceans, such as acidification, and the consequences for biodiversity. Others look...

World Tuberculosis (TB) Day was created by the World Health Organisation to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of TB, the date being the day in 1882 when the bacterium causing TB was discovered.

These resources for students aged 11 to 19 describe the disease...

World Wildlife Day was started by the United Nations to celebrate and raise awareness of the world's wild animals and plants. This collection contains resources for both primary and secondary pupils looking at wildlife both globally and in the UK, the habitats they occupy, and how both wildlife and habitats can be...