This booklet is part of the ‘Innovations in Practical Work’ series published by the Gatsby Science Enhancement Programme (SEP) and produced in partnership with the Walker Institute for Climate System Research. Climate scientists do not have a ‘climate in a test tube’ to try out their ideas, so to understand the...

This resource is part of a collection of Nuffield Maths resources that explore Algebra and Maths. The demand is roughly equivalent to that in Higher Level GCSE and Level 2 Functional Mathematics.

The resource asks students fit functions to graphs (linear and quadratic). They compare models and comment on...

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...

From the Integrating Mathematical Problem Solving project by Mathematics in Education and Industry (MEI), this activity shows that it is not possible to be certain what the market will do next. The mathematical ideas covered are:
• Time series
• Percentage change
• Random walks
• Geometric...

From the Integrating Mathematical Problem Solving project by Mathematics in Education and Industry (MEI), this activity shows that derivatives can help to manage risk. The market in derivatives has grown enormously in recent years. On average, speculators break even. The mathematical ideas covered are:
•...

This resources provides a template for creating a model of the DNA double helix.  The class should collaborate on one model. Each student should make just...

This excel file looks at using the sine curve to model the water depth in a tidal river.

The first interactive sheet shows how the Earth’s orbit around the Sun can be modelled by the sine curve. One or two cycles can...

This article investigates the history of models of the atom and discovers how, a century ago, scientists were devising models of the atom in an attempt to explain the limited evidence they had about the fundamental structure of matter.

The article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2015, Volume 25,...

This interactive program deals with the modulus function applied to linear, quadratic, reciprocal and sine functions. The graph of each function is shown as well as the unreflected sections of the graphs.

The first...

This simulation explores the factors which determine the concentration of a solution. It illustrates the relationships between moles, litres and molarity by adjusting the amount of solute and solution volume.

The moles of solute and the volume of solution (water) can be changed using sliders to make...

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry represents the manufacturers of most of the medicines and vaccines supplied to the National Health Service, in the UK. As part of their programme to encourage the study of science in schools, in 1995, the ABPI produced a book for post-16 students, on the...

In this video Helen describes how she became a trainee molecular geneticist at Addenbrookes hospital.  The video could be used to introduce a lesson on  cystic fibrosis, genes, genetic testing,...

This simulation allows students to explore molecule shapes by building molecules in 3D and seeing how the molecule's shape changes as atoms are added.

It can be used to demonstrate that:

*The molecule shape is due to repulsions between atoms.

*The bonds are not fixed in place, but can rotate...

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 simulation can be used to explore how light interacts with molecules in our atmosphere.

Sample learning objectives include:

*Explore how light interacts with molecules in our atmosphere

*Identify that absorption of light depends on the molecule and the type of light

*Relate the...