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...

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...

Froglife’s My Wildlife Project began in 2011 with an aim of investigating biodiversity and the way children’s interactions with nature have changed over time. This report looks at how the project was undertaken, including case studies of sessions and events. The two year project involved collecting memories that...

This report considers the findings of Froglife’s My Wildlife Project which began in 2011 with an aim of investigating biodiversity and the way children’s interactions with nature have changed over time. The two year project involved collecting memories that older people...

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...

This report, prepared for the Wellcome Trust in January 2008, presents the results of an audit of in-service training accessed by science teachers across regions of the UK. The data gathered provided a picture of what training was available, and the uptake of training.

Key findings showed various causes for...

In 2015-16, the regional Network has been found to have sustained a strong upward trajectory in the amount of CPD that it is delivering, increasing its level of CPD delivery by 45% compared to 2014-15, and surpassing the levels of CPD delivery achieved in previous years.  

The Network has also forged new...

These Department of Education National Strategies resources explore behaviour and attendance, taken from the Core Day 1 training sessions. The files cover: *Advice on whole school behaviour and attendance policy *Tutors notes: session 1 - review policy *Tutors notes: session 2 - implement policy *Tutors notes:...

These Department of Education National Strategies resources explore behaviour and attendance, taken from the Core Day 2 training sessions. The files cover: *Behaviour and Attendance: effective practice *Tutors notes: session 1 - focusing on solutions *Tutors notes: session 2 - developing staff skills *Tutors notes...