Written in 2009 by the Department for Children, Schools and families, this resource sets out the government's support for behaviour in schools at that time.

A Catalyst article about designing, building and testing a spacecraft. There are thousands of man-made satellites orbiting the Earth. Some are only a few hundred kilometres above the Earth and complete one orbit roughly every 90 minutes. Geostationary satellites are located around 40 000 kilometres from the surface...

Published in 2009 by LSIS, this report describes research at Stockton Riverside College, Bede Sixth Form. The report had several aims: * to explore attitudes to e-learning for learners studying AS biology * to evaluate learner perceptions of the usefulness of e-learning resources * to develop new e-learning...

In September 2002, eight new General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) courses in vocational subjects were introduced: applied art and design; applied business; engineering; health and social care; ICT; leisure and tourism; manufacturing; and applied science. This report covers the introduction of these...

This report sets out a proposed framework for the assessment of science in primary schools.

The framework is the outcome of a seminar held at the Nuffield Foundation on 7 and 8 June 2012. Participants included representatives of the Association for Science Education (ASE), Science Community Representing...

Produced in 2011 by the Learning Skills Improvement Service (LSIS), this case study tackles the theme of enrichment and enhancement in STEM. From Newcastle College, it describes an outreach project bringing local community organisations together with teaching staff.

By demystifying simple health tests (e.g....

Published by LSIS, this research report describes a project undertaken by New College Nottingham. The project describes the creation of a webquest to aid the learning of space exploration for a BTEC first diploma.

Using a blog facilitated a dialogue between the students themselves and also with the class...

Produced by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS), this case study looks at the themes of enrichment and enhancement in STEM, employer engagement and knowledge and technology transfer. By the National Marine Aquarium, the study demonstrates the potential for informal learning institutions to create...

Craven College in Skipton, North Yorkshire is twenty four miles from Leeds Bradford Airport where there are significant employment opportunities covering a range of areas in a busy airport e.g. pilots, ground staff and a range of auxiliary services. The College, through partnership with Jet2.com, Multiflight, TUI...

This report describes an action research project by Gateway College and is published by LSIS. The project supported BTEC Level 2 students as a pilot group to develop their literacy and language skills by integrating literacy into their science learning. This enhanced both student language competence and their...

This leaflet provides support for a Primary Science Leader (PSL), based on good practice in schools that value science. It is aimed at helping PSL’s to  reflect on current science provision and how to plan for improvement. Key areas discussed are:

• looking at, how science is led
• looking at different...

Produced by the Learning Skills Improvement Service (LSIS), this case study looks at the theme of knowledge and technology transfer. Written by Pera, it describes how research organisations, industry players and educational institutions worked together to create a suite of short technical courses.

By...

A Catalyst article about juvenile diabetes, a genetic disease also known as Type 1 diabetes, which affects over 200,000 people in the UK. Scientists are still trying to unravel its causes in order to develop improved treatments. This article describes what is being done to improve people’s understanding of the...

A Catalyst article about a brilliant new light source under construction in the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside - the Diamond Light Source. Diamond will be a source of synchrotron light. Many of the everyday commodities people take for granted, from chocolate to cosmetics, from revolutionary drugs to surgical...

A Catalyst article about diamonds. The element carbon exists in a number of allotropic forms, but diamonds have always held a special allure, whether it be for their hardness or for their transparency. The article examines how they can be made artificially and looks at some of their uses.

This article is...