This paper, from the Department of Education (DfE), presented a comprehensive set of statistical analyses building up a picture of the production function for the supply of young people in England with good A levels in mathematics and science. In this way, the questions addressed are focused towards high attainers...

A Catalyst article looking at how to measure parts of carbon cycling as it happens in forests. Two of the processes used, flux towers and soil chambers, are described.

This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2007, Volume 17, Issue 4.

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A Catalyst article about experiments on surface tension based on a simple test that can be conducted at home or in a school classroom.

This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2007, Volume 18, Issue 2.

Catalyst is a science...

A Catalyst article about microwaves, infrared, ultraviolet and X-rays which are all electromagnetic waves. The article looks at their different uses and why some are used to create medical images and others to treat disease. The article also explores how the electromagnetic spectrum is used by medical physicists to...

This report draws upon evidence from design and technology (design and technology) subject survey visits by Her Majesty’s Inspectors (HMI) to primary and secondary schools between September 2007 and July 2010. The inspections evaluated how well the subject was meeting its National Curriculum aims and promoting high...

In this Catalyst article scientists investigate the basis of memory using lab animals; this can lead to insights into human memory, and treatments for people suffering deteriorating memory.

The article focuses on two aspects of memory:

*the hippocampus, the part of the brain belonging to the limbic...

A Catalyst article about careers in meteorology (weather forecasting) and climate science. The article explains the work of EMARC (Environment Monitoring and Response Centre) and provides some advice on training as a meteorologist.

This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2004, Volume 15, Issue 2...

A Catalyst article about the rock cycle which is responsible for the formation of many different types of rocks and minerals. The article explores the formation of minerals, their chemical composition and internal structure together with the reason for mineral hardness. As silicates form a third of all known...

A Catalyst article about BepiColombo, a spacecraft which will visit Mercury, powered by a revolutionary new rocket engine technology using ion engines and using a slingshot manoeuvre to accelerate it. The development of the spacecraft is an international project and will combine exciting scientific goals exploring...

A Catalyst article looking at how modern archaeology uses analytical chemical techniques to answer questions about ancient civilisations and animals. Scientists working at the University of Bristol match compounds present in archaeological materials to those in modern plants and animals which were likely to have...

This Catalyst article looks at how the laying of telegraph cables across the ocean bed led to the science of oceanography. Over two thirds of the Earth’s surface is covered in sea which can reach depths of 11 000 metres. The article looks at the challenge of laying cables in this environment and the history of the...

A Catalyst article about nanotechnology, the science of building tiny devices. Opinions differ on the use of nanotechnology, one school of thought is that it will be the answer to many of the biggest challenges in medicine, electronics and defence, another is that it will lead to opening up a dangerous world of...

Following the establishment of the 1989 National Curriculum (NC) for science, the National Curriculum Council made recommendations to the Secretary of State regarding the revision of Attainments Targets (AT) for science. This document sets out the recommendations for the 1991 NC. The key ideas included:

*A...

A report from the National Curriculum Council (NCC). An initial consultation report in November 1988 proposed an ambitious, broad, integrated approach to a range of design and technology-related subjects explored through a wide variety of contexts. It recognised the complex relationship between the knowledge and...

A report from the National Curriculum Council (NCC). During 1991 it became apparent that teachers were struggling to deliver the requirements of the design and technology National Curriculum, primarily in terms of its conceptual intentions, wide and extensive coverage and issues regarding the re-structuring and...