This Catalyst article looks at harlequin ladybirds, just one of the invasive species that has spread through Western Europe. Over the last century there has been a dramatic increase in the movement of so called alien species around the world as a consequence of international trade and travel. Invasive alien species...

A Catalyst article about the efficient use of heating systems. Many people complain of being too hot or cold. Coming soon are a new generation of intelligent heating controls which can learn how people live, and then deliver heating efficiently when and where they need it. These devices are known as Wattboxes and...

A Catalyst article devoted to food chains. This article looks at photosynthesis and the loss of energy from plants to animals throughout the food chain. How this limits the number of animals that can survive on the energy fixed by a patch of vegetation is explained. Foraging characteristics and how many animals can...

A Catalyst article about how the society can decide whether energy-efficient lighting is good for the environment. With the UK Government announcement that sales of filament lamps will be phased out over the next few years the article examines their replacements, CFLs, compact fluorescent lamps. Not everyone agrees...

Produced in 2011 by the Learning Skills Improvement Service (LSIS), this case study looks at the theme of equality and diversity. It describes how Sussex Downs College looked at: * The cultural and social reasons which influence why girls choose not to study physics. * Whether the teaching and learning activities...

A Catalyst article about careers in the different branches of modern engineering. The article offers an alternative view of engineering focusing on problem solving and making the world a better place to live. Engineers can travel the world working in teams such is the demand for their expertise and much use is made...

Published by LSIS, this guidance document summarises the effective practice in English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) in science for post-16 learners. It reviews the research and current practice in ESOL in science in schools and in the learning and skills sector.

Published by LSIS, this case study looks at a project at Nelson and Colne College. The college applied for funding from the LSIS STEM Programme to devise and deliver an action research project that would meet the needs of college students.

The team began by collecting the GCSE English Language data of...

Produced by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS), this case study looks at the theme of embedding functional skills. From Strode College, the project engaged practitioners with professional development designed to share practice in subject knowledge and delivery of functional skills.

It aimed...

Produced by the Learning Skills Improvement Service (LSIS), this case study looks at the themes of innovation in STEM and harnessing technology. It describes how the biology team at Bexhill College used a differentiated ‘Focus Question’ approach to practical investigations.

Students were made more aware of...

Produced in 2011 by the Learning Skills Improvement Service (LSIS), this case study tackles the theme of equality and diversity. The study focuses around a class of students on a level three applied science course at Redcar and Cleveland College. The class had twelve students in total, with eight of them identified...

Produced by the Learning Skills Improvement Service, these materials help to demonstrate effective practice.

This case study looks at the themes of knowledge and transfer technology as well as enrichment and enhancement in STEM. This project has been developed since 2007 by Leicester College, in partnership...

This summary was produced by the Department for Education in 2012 to support schools with their behaviour policy. This document summarises the legal powers and duties that govern behaviour and attendance in school at the time of writing, and explains how they apply to teachers, governing bodies, pupils and parents...

The purpose of the study, produced by the Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education (ACME) was to inform the establishment of the planned National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM), but it is also hoped that this report of the study will be viewed as a useful contribution to the on-...

A Catalyst article explaining how enzymes allow chemical reactions in all living organisms to proceed quickly, under conditions where they would normally be very slow. By isolating enzymes that could be used to catalyze reactions, scientists have started a major biotechnology industry. The article describes how...