In this activity, students learn about X-ray crystallography. As well as considering its importance (scientists have used the technique to elucidate the structures of over half a million substances) students use models to learn about – and...

In this activity, students synthesise prior learning about structure and bonding, and about enzymes, and apply it to a new context: X-ray crystallography. The main part of the activity involves students pitching for funding for new equipment – how will they use the...

These downloadable videos and animations are part of the multimedia package Stuff and Substance, developed by the Gatsby Science Enhancement Programme (SEP). They can be used to develop the idea that substances in the solid state usually consist of crystals, even though...

This role play activity illustrates natural selection, based on the cuckoo/host example of co-evolution. as well as providing opportunities for developing key scientific skills such as experimental design and research.

Examples of natural selection and evolution in secondary...

This podcast from the Natural Environment Research Council's (NERC) Planet Earth Online collection looks at the cunning tricks the cuckoo uses to get another bird to do the parenting, why researchers are studying snow in Sweden, and discovers an improved radiocarbon dating technique.

The cuckoo is a well-...

Two worksheet based activities that can be used to identify the impacts of technology upon people to sustain their communities in the future. The first activity considers the cultural impact upon sustainability with key questions to research and the second task is an analysis activity looking at cultural, economic...

This Catalyst article looks at salt, in particular the process of extracting salt from the sea in the salt factories of Trapani in Sicily. Located on the west coast of the island, the saline (salt ponds) were probably started by the Phoenicians around 3000 years ago. The article also looks at the structure of salt...

This Catalyst article looks at NASA's Mars Curiosity rover, the automated chemistry lab which landed safely on Mars in August 2012. Capable of analysing samples from the planet's surface and atmosphere, the rover will undertake two years of experiments in the hope of discovering even more about our neighbouring...

From the science QCA, QCDA and Ofqual collection, these resources outline the curriculum required for various ages of student, along with subject criteria for examinations.

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From triple science support, the resources in this collection look at how schools adapt their curriculum to teach...

Published in 1991 by the Scottish Office Education Department, the Assessment 5-14 guidance provided a basis for effective, coherent and manageable assessment of students' achievements in relation to standards of attainment set out in the 5-14 curriculum guidelines. Covering planning, teaching, recording of...

In this activity students investigate the mystery of a light beam which seems to bend.  Students can investigate:

• Qualitative behaviour of light  when the medium in which it propagates changes its refraction index. 
• Quantitative evaluation of the behaviour of light in refraction by means of...

In this activity, students draw and cut out scaled pictures of different cell types, comparing these to the size of a salt crystal.

Templates for cut-out and stick paper models of various ESA spacecraft.

Contents:

* Cassini simple model kit

* Cassini advanced model kit

* Integral model kit

* ISO model kit

* Mars Express model kit

* Soho model kit

* Ariane 4 model kit

* Gaia model...