This Catalyst article examines the differences between fossil fuels and biofuels. At present, fossil fuels are used to provide most of our global energy requirements. Fossil fuels are a finite resource as they take millions of years to form and the remaining supplies are being used at a greater rate than can be...

Students examine the sugar content of potatoes in relation to emerging interest in the carcinogen acrylamide produced when potatoes are cooked at high temperatures. Employing cutting-edge techniques to genetically modify E. coli bacteria, they will insert the jellyfish gfp gene to make the...

Lesson 3 - Hydrogen fuel cell

This lesson looks at how hydrogen fuel cells could potentially replace how transportation is powered.

Note: this is the third lesson of three. The first two lessons investigate the greenhouse effect and climate change. Here electrolysis and the use of a hydrogen-oxygen (...

Produced by Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS), these materials look at the work of conservation biotechnologist, Jonathan Kendon. Through investigating the effects of human activity on the environment, students gain a greater understanding of the career...

This set of activities is designed for a STEM Ambassador to use when introducing their work in the highways and transport industry to pupils aged 14 to 16. They can also be used by teachers to introduce the challenges faced by transport infrastructure in the UK and the roles played by 3 different types of transport...

In this practical activity, students use magnification to examine leaves showing symptoms of a common plant disease, and produce labelled drawings of the fungal spores.

Ideas about communicable diseases in plants are included in the updated programmes of study for Key Stage 4 science published in December...

STEM Ambassador Anna Fraszczyk is a Newcastle University researcher for NewRail. Her role involves supporting the teaching and learning activities at NewRail by mentoring students, engaging with stakeholders (people who own or have invested in the company) and organising and coordinating...

This resource takes a slightly different slant on how plants can help reduce the build up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and thereby help prevent climate change.  In the video Ben Ainslie, Olympic gold medallist and driver for the Great Britain SailGP Team, explains how seagrass can be used to reduce carbon...

Like ‘The Sims’, in this SimPhysics game students look after a family and keep their home supplied with electricity. In the game scenario the government has set a carbon dioxide quota for each household, so limiting their contribution to climate change. The player has to invest in renewable sources of electricity...

This resource pack about Sustainable Solutions has been developed to meet the CREST Discovery Award requirements. Designed as a team-based activity day where students design and create a sustainable start-up business concept linked to their community, by undertaking the tasks in the resource pack, students should...

This is a nice example of an animation produced by students to explain one impact of climate change - ocean acidification.  You could link with a local university department to enrich a project like this, as has been done in this case - Ridgeway School in Plymouth ...

This report from Ofsted on primary science is the last in the series published by Ofsted over several years, based on evidence from whole school inspections and surveys by HMI. It draws on data from Ofsted inspections from September 2003 to July 2005.

The report also reflects upon changes since Ofsted...

From the Institute of Physics, this topic looks at basic electrical ideas, particularly current, potential difference and energy. The topic is split into teaching episodes. These are self-contained activities of varying time periods. The topics in this section include:

Episode 101:...