The Salters’ double award science course included 12 modules for Year Ten. Each module relates to materials, phenomena or ideas which would be familiar to students or of value in their everyday lives. These starting points illustrate scientific principles in action, creating an applications-led course of study. By...

The Big Picture on pages 10-11 of this issue of Catalyst shows scientists in Antarctica launching a balloon which will travel up through the atmosphere to a height of 34 km above the Earth’s surface. This balloon is part of NASA’s BARREL mission, probing the radiation belts which surround the Earth.

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Learners discover the BIFoR FACE (Birmingham Institute for forest research free air carbon enrichment) experiment and the infrastructure associated with it. They are introduced to the arrays, met masts and flux tower and encouraged to think about the research questions that this experiment can answer. Learners are...

The oceans are become more acidic. This is due to an increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere through the ...

A Catalyst article following the journey of the space probes Huygens and Cassini, sent to explore Titan, a moon of Saturn. After a seven year journey Huygens was set to fall through the atmosphere transmitting data back to Earth via Cassini so more can be learnt about this distant moon. The article describes the...

Produced by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), this colour leaflet describes the largest space telescope ever to be launched. The Herschel mission, launched in 2009, reveals how the first stars and galaxies formed. Herschel is observing some of the coldest objects in the Universe. It is the...

A Catalyst article about the European Space Agency (ESA) which has sent the Venus Express spacecraft to explore Earth's cloudy neighbour. The purpose of the project, which is primarily to gather information about the atmosphere around Venus, is explained and is put into context with concerns about climate change on...

This Catalyst article looks at life in extreme environments on Earth which can suggest how life might exist on Mars. One of the developments in recent years that really opened up scientists’ eyes to the possibility of life on Mars has been the realization of just how adaptable and versatile life on Earth is.

This diagnostic question is part of a series adapted for primary aged pupils from the Best Evidence Science Teaching project for ages 11 to 14.

It helps students to understand that...

This video highlights the misconceptions people have about earth orbiting the sun. 30% of Australians think it is one day.

This Nuffield Secondary Science theme ranges from the local rocks and weather to outer space. Thus it covers aspects of earth science, meteorology and astronomy. 

Areas for investigation: The information in the theme book provides detailed practical advice and guidance related to a wide...

This guide supports students following the Geology: Structure of the Earth topic. The topic, produced by Northumberland County Council, is designed to encourage self supported study and students are expected to work their way through independently, developing their study skills. This student guide introduces the...

This issue of Catalyst includes the following articles:

Impact Earth

Astronomers say that, one day, a giant rock from space will collide with the Earth and cause mass devastation. This could lead to the extinction of many...

These diagnostic questions and response activities (contained in the zip file) support students in being able to:

• Explain why burning a fossil fuel adds carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.
• Recognise that carbon dioxide molecules produced from a combustion reaction may eventually spread...

This short animation film joins the alien, Paxi, as he investigates the greenhouse effect and...