Vernalisation offers an interesting example of the way that plants have evolved to exploit the predictability of seasonal change and, in this case, to ensure that flowering occurs at an appropriate time. It also gives an example of how environmental factors control and...

This mystery can be used to introduce osmosis and diffusion. 

Two beakers are displayed at the front of the room. Both look identical in that they both contain a plastic zip--lock bag with a starch solution inside. The zip-lock bags are both sitting in a clear solution. What the students don’t know is that...

In this cross curricular activity, children learn about light and shadows by creating shadow puppets which tell the story of a myth or legend. Teacher’s notes provide a step by step guide to creating the shadow puppets, showing how to create moving parts; it also shows how to set up a shadow theatre to tell the...

In order to understand the orbits of planets, comets and other celestial bodies, it is necessary to examine the principles of how gravity, and the velocity of an object, interact to produce an orbit. It is a common misconception among students that planetary orbits are circular. This practical activity gives a...

This activity puts speed-time graphs in a space context by looking at the elliptical orbits. 

In order to understand the orbits of planets, comets and other celestial bodies, it is necessary to examine the principles of how gravity, and the velocity of an object, interact to produce an orbit. It is a common...

This STEMNET resource describes the background and career of STEM Ambassador Felix Schubert, a mechanical engineer.

Felix works for MSE Consultants Ltd, an engineering consultancy which specialises in natural gas compression projects for the oil and gas industry. He enjoys that fact that he can change his...

This report draws upon evidence from design and technology (design and technology) subject survey visits by Her Majesty’s Inspectors (HMI) to primary and secondary schools between September 2007 and July 2010. The inspections evaluated how well the subject was meeting its National Curriculum aims and promoting high...

In this activity from the Nuffield Foundation, students match descriptions of a variety of real scenarios involving motion with the corresponding velocity–time and displacement–time graphs. Several issues will be discussed while completing this task and students will also have to consider how realistic or...

From the Integrating Mathematical Problem Solving project by Mathematics in Education and Industry (MEI), this activity shows that it is not possible to be certain what the market will do next. The mathematical ideas covered are:
• Time series
• Percentage change
• Random walks
• Geometric...

This Nuffield Primary Science book consists of 11 colourful, and highly illustrated, double-page spreads aimed at students aged 9-12. The book ends with a glossary and index.

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You can’t see around corners… or can you? In this activity, carefully placed mirrors change the path light takes twice, making it possible to look over walls, around corners and even behind you – all without being seen.

Learning outcomes:

• Investigate how light travels in a straight line and can...

Trends in the popularity of names is the focus of this resource, from the Centre for Innovation in Mathematics Teaching, which illustrates the concepts and strategies for interpreting data. Because there is no one explanation for the change of popularity of names this resource raises one of the fundamental issues...

This Catalyst article looks at cuttlefish which have a remarkable ability to change their appearance at high speed. But how do they do this?

This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2016, Volume 26, Issue 4.

This STEM activity teaches learners about the reflection of light in a mirror, by giving pupils the opportunity to use reverse writing to see how words change when reflected in a mirror and then make notes on this. This activity could be used as a starter or main activity to introduce concepts of light and build on...