What is science? Science is a way of knowing, a method of learning about nature. Rooted in common sense, its formal, systematic method is called scientific inquiry. In doing scientific inquiry, scientists use a variety of empirical approaches, techniques, and procedures to collect data from nature, examine and...

This review was published in 1999 for The Scottish Council for Research in Education. It was in response to national and international surveys which highlighted weaknesses in pupils' science performance at upper primary and lower secondary school. The book looks at aspects of science education that have an impact...

Produced by the Learning Skills Improvement Service (LSIS), this case study looks at the theme of curriculum development. From the Isle of Wight College, it shows how the explicit embedding of science into a vocational qualification helps to develop an appreciation of the role of science in construction. The...

What is the perfect curve of a ball’s trajectory, what must the ideal turf be like, and...

These Science upd8 resources are designed to both develop science skills and show practical applications for classroom science through the context of particular careers.

The activities include:

• The Mystery of the Levitating Train
• Accident...

The Nuffield Science in Practice advanced textbook was organised unit-by-unit and carefully structured to help students find the information they needed. The book featured vocational case studies that were specially researched by a team of science writers and teachers...

The Nuffield Science in Practice Advanced Assignments file one offered comprehensive coverage of the mandatory units through a series of challenging set of 30 vocational assignments, most of which were developed for the project in the centres which piloted the...

This Nuffield Science in Practice textbook covered the range of knowledge required for the four mandatory units of the Intermediate course in the context of authentic, vocational case studies. A reference section provided data and explained techniques. Questions and...

The Nuffield Science in Practice file of Intermediate Assignments began with a study guide. This was a compilation of short tasks covering the full range required for each of the four mandatory units. The tasks were designed to help students check that they have...

This report looks at hands-on practical science in secondary schools and uses an international study to answer the question ‘What does good look like?’. Using a  model of...

'High-tech science' is a series of books that look at the revolutionary, cutting-edge science that we rely on to run our lives and keep our modern world working.

In spring 2011 Ofsted conducted a survey of good practice in science in general further education and sixth form colleges in England. Inspectors visited 15 college science departments to observe teaching and learning and evaluate the quality of provision and departmental leadership and management.

This...

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