A Catalyst article explaining how new data suggests that it is very unlikely that life ever existed on Mars. When the presence of water was confirmed a few years ago, there was a lot of speculation that at least simple life forms had once lived there as water is essential for every known living organism. The latest...

A Catalyst article examining if there are harmful chemicals in farmed fish. Oily fish such as salmon, tuna, sardines and mackerel contain plenty of protein, vitamins and the right sort of fats. They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids which are released when fats are digested. The human body uses these fatty acids to...

A Catalyst article about the Kepler spacecraft, which is used to look for extra-solar planets. Scientists are hoping to shine light on the age old question of life’s existence elsewhere in the Universe using a new space-based telescope named Kepler. Launched on 6 March 2009, Kepler is searching the sky for small,...

A Catalyst article about scientists publishing their results in journals. Newspapers, magazines and TV programmes are full of stories based on science and technology. But can these articles be trusted? This article looks at the way in which scientists try to ensure that their own publications are reliable. It makes...

This report from the Institute of Physics explores data from the National Pupil Database, looking at progression to A level physics from Key Stage Four in different types of school. In particular, it focuses on the inequalities of numbers between the girls and boys taking the subject at this level. Although girls...

This Catalyst article looks at a newspaper report, which carried the headline “It’s life, but not as we know it”, following NASA’s supposed discovery of a ‘second form of life’. The scientific paper, published by the eminent journal Science, even created widespread speculation about the existence of extra-...

A Catalyst article about working in materials science and engineering, the process of deciding which material is best for each application. The structure of materials, processing them and working in jobs and careers with them are explained.

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

A Catalyst article about John Snow who discovered the cause of cholera, how it spreads and how to avoid it. Snow's work is what is now referred to as epidemiology and his persistent investigative work and resulting publications resulted in health authorities using his findings.

This article is from Catalyst...

A Catalyst article about physicists working at Europe’s Large Hadron Collider who hope to have received the first results from what is probably the biggest, most expensive and most ambitious scientific experiment ever carried out. Later, they hope to solve the mystery of the fundamental forces of nature.

The...

A Catalyst article about modern car engines and how they can run smoothly and propel drivers for thousands of miles without needing much attention, apart from refuelling with diesel or petrol. The engine also needs oil. The article describes engine oil, its composition and ingredients, how it works and how to...

A Catalyst article about homeostasis describing how the process enables birds and mammals to be active on cold days when other species are not.

This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2004, Volume 14, Issue 3.

Catalyst is...

This version of the National Curriculum for primary schools was published in January 1995 for implementation later that year. Programmes of study and attainment targets are set out for each of the subjects taught at Key Stages One and Two - English, mathematics, science, design and technology, information...

A presentation highlighting seven strategies for behaviour management.

This review, published by the Nuffield Foundation, presents a synthesis of research on mathematics learning by children from the age of five to the age of sixteen years and identifies the issues that are fundamental to understanding children’s mathematics learning. The report concentrates on three main questions...

A Catalyst article discussing how the human body has to handle all sorts of variations, balancing its inputs and outputs, if it is to work efficiently. The article concentrates on one organ, the kidney, and the way it helps to keep things on an even keel through the functions of homeostasis and excretion. What...