A Catalyst article about diamonds. The element carbon exists in a number of allotropic forms, but diamonds have always held a special allure, whether it be for their hardness or for their transparency. The article examines how they can be made artificially and looks at some of their uses.

This article is...

This Catalyst article looks at diamonds and shows how they have extraordinary properties: optical, thermal and when exposed to X-rays.

This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2016, Volume 27, Issue 2.

Catalyst is a science...

This Triple Crossed activity from the Centre for Science Education and supported by the Astra Zeneca Teaching Trust starts with a quiz asking students to answer questions about the history of space exploration.

They are then asked to consider the evidence provided and use it to establish an argument for...

These diagnostic questions and response activities (contained in the zip file) support students in being able to:

• Explain what humans need in their diet and why.
• Identify short-term and long-term effects of exercise on the human body.
• Predict the possible outcomes of eating too much...

In this activity children keep a food and drink diary for a few days, also recording when they brush their teeth. They then identify food that they think and healthy and unhealthy and those that contain sugar that could cause tooth decay. They look at food...

Julia is a dietitian for Addenbrookes Hospital, she discusses her role in this video. Curriculum links include malnutrition, food groups, healthy diet and nutrition.

These diagnostic questions and response activities (contained in the zip file) support students in being able to:

• Recognise what is meant by a ‘species’.

• Recognise that there are differences between individuals within a species, and this is called variation.

• ...

This Nuffield Primary Science book is for use with the Variety of Life topic. It consists of 11 colourful, and highly illustrated, double-page spreads aimed at students aged 7-9. The book ends with a glossary and index.

This SATIS Revisited resource is a structured group discussion activity, which looks at the use and abuse of drugs to enhance sporting performance.

The unit provides a rationale for teaching about ethical issues in science for students age 14–16. The aim is to introduce the idea that the discussion of...

Practical use of diffraction gratings include emission spectra as well as explorations of the wave-particle nature of light and the interference patterns that emerge.

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 ideas relating to the intrinsic motion of particles and diffusion phenomena...

These diagnostic questions and response activities (contained in the zip file) support students in being able to:

• Use ideas about the needs and life processes of cells to explain the role of the cell membrane and why it must be selectively permeable.

• Recall that substances are...

This short film clip follows primary school teacher, Danny, as he demonstrates a practical experiment which recreates the digestion process in the classroom. Using household items such as paper cups, orange juice and a pair of tights, this demonstration enables children to visualise the process of digestion in an...