A Catalyst article describing how a car's catalytic converter works. A catalytic converter is a part of a vehicle’s exhaust system. It removes harmful substances from the exhaust gases. The article describes what a catalytic converter consists of, the reactions taking place in a car engine and the reactions...

In this activity children  build their own Catapult, then  see how far they can launch small objects.  They are provided with step  by step instructions to...

This report details the findings an intervention project called Catch Up® 1 Numeracy, which consisted of two 15-minute sessions per week, delivered in a one to one session by teaching assistants (TAs). The intervention focused...

This Catalyst article looks at the Rosetta mission: to rendezvous with Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko where it will study the nucleus of the comet and its environment for nearly two years, and land a probe on its surface. The article also describes how gravity assists, also known as slingshot manoeuvres, are used...

This Catalyst article looks at analytical chemists, who are involved in many kinds of testing, including drug testing to catch cheats in sport.

This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2017, Volume 27, Issue 3.

Catalyst is a...

Produced by Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS), this investigation looks at the activity of the enzyme catechol oxidase (also called polyphenoloxidase). Found in a wide variety of plants, it is responsible for the darkening observed when many fruits or vegetables...

Published in June 2002. Dyslexia affects a significant proportion of the UK population and can be a barrier to learning in science for those afflicted. There are a number of techniques teachers can employ to alleviate the problems dyslexic students face with both practical and written work in science. These have...

Working in a school without a physics specialist, Catherine contacted STEMNET for help with meeting the specifications of a new curriculum. As a result, the school gained help from a STEM Ambassador who not only explained particle physics in an accessible way but also showed how exciting careers in physics could be...

This very short video demonstrates the experiment that led Thomson to conclude that all atoms contain electrons and helped him to create his ‘plum pudding’ model of the atom.

This assessment task from Bowland requires students to analyse a claim made in an advert encouraging cat owners to have their cat neutered. The claim is made that an unneutered cat can have 2000 descendants in 18 months. Students are given a number of basic facts upon which to base their analysis. Students are...

This video introduces a reliable technique to demonstrate tissue culture and totipotency, and shows how best to use this protocol with your students.

Unlike animal cells, many plant cells are totipotent, meaning that...

This collection of resources was devised and published by Association for Science Education (ASE) in the last decade of the twentieth century to celebrate the centenaries of a number of key discoveries in the history of science.

The titles

• Beyond the Visible - One Hundred Years...

This Catalyst article looks at the celebrations surrounding the life and work of Charles Darwin. Darwin was born 200 years ago and the article looks at some of the activities surrounding the bicentenary and examines his work.

This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2009, Volume 19, Issue 4.