This APU report for teachers focuses on the performance of students aged 15 in a range of test questions concerning metals. This subject was chosen since metals are the commonest examples of elements which students meet in their everyday lives. Questions reported were...

These activities from the BEST project can be used with primary pupils. The diagnostic questions probe pupils' understanding of physical and chemical changes such as rusting and dissolving and how materials can be categorised using different properties. The response activities help to develop pupils' understanding...

This APU Science report for teachers sets out the view of science that underpinned decisions about what to assess in the surveys of students at ages 13 and 15. The view led to attention being focused on activities associated with solving problems scientifically. These...

Students investigate the properties of materials used for cooking utensils in order to collect quantitative data.  For example, if testing for thermal conductivity they should gain a value for the rate at which heat flows through a cross-sectional area of material.  Students should also find out if...