Potassium is the main intracellular ion in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and is essential for their functions, making potassium one of the most important electrolytes in physiology. In humans, potassium plays a vital role in several physiological functions, including the maintenance of fluid balance, generating the membrane potential of cells,…

The formulation of the periodic system by the Russian Mendeleev was followed by the surprising discovery of gallium by the Frenchman de Boisbaudran. The Englishman Ramsay's explanation of an 'impurity' in air led to recognition of a new period. A young fellow countryman, Moseley, justified the expected existence of 92 elements. A German couple,…

This article looks at the events that led to the discovery of isotopes in the early part of the 20th century. It is difficult to claim that the discovery was a single event. A number of famous scientists worked independently to provide the evidence, and the understanding of the need to think differently about atoms gradually emerged. Four varied…

The Earth's primary atmosphere, which was similar to that of the gas giant planets, was soon lost, and a secondary atmosphere was established by outgassing from the early Earth and from colliding debris. The composition of this atmosphere was probably similar to present-day volcanic emissions but with a tiny percentage of photochemically produced…

The nature of light and how it is affected by gravity is discussed. Einstein's prediction of the deflection of light as it passes near the Sun was verified by observations made during the solar eclipse of 1919. Another prediction was that of gravitational redshift, which occurs when light emitted by a star loses energy in the gravitational field…

The 1998 Nuffield Foundation report "Beyond 2000: Science Education for the Future," by Robin Millar and Jonathan Osborne, produced ten recommendations and had a major effect on curriculum development in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Twenty years after its publication, I pose ten questions for science education. The hope is that…

The use of wind as a replenishable energy resource has come back into favour in recent decades. It is much promoted as a viable, clean energy option that will help towards reducing CO[subscript 2] emissions in the UK. This article examines the history of wind power and considers the development of wind turbines, together with their economic,…

Accidental discoveries have been of significant value in the progress of science. Although accidental discoveries are more common in pharmacology and chemistry, other branches of science have also benefited from such discoveries. While most discoveries are the result of persistent research, famous accidental discoveries provide a fascinating…

As research probes deeper into all aspects of science, greater specialisation is required. This natural progression takes knowledge and understanding further away from the general public. Hence part of the responsibility of scientists is to communicate that knowledge at an appropriate level of understanding. As most people do not actively follow…

The headquarters of an organisation, both the building and staff who work in it, has a key role to play in the way in which it operates and portrays its character. After presenting a brief history of the buildings the Association for Science Education (ASE) has occupied during its 50 year history, this article reflects on the role of ASE…

The "Saggi di naturali esperienze" was published in 1667 by one of the earliest scientific societies, the Accademia del Cimento. The book was a triumph for the ruling Medici family of Florence, and the commitment of the Accademia to experimentation helped the "Saggi" become the "laboratory manual" of the 18th century.…

This article presents the transcript of the Presidential Address delivered to the Association for Science Education Annual Conference held at the University of Birmingham in January 2014. In her address, Alice Roberts traces the evolution of various features that are often thought to make humans different from other animals. Examples such as…

Over the past 50 years, the Association for Science Education (ASE) has published a wide range of journals as a principal benefit of membership of the Association, with some reaching beyond the membership. This article explores the history behind each of the four current ASE journals, as well as touching on two titles that "served their…

This article focuses on the role of the Association for Science Education (ASE) in supporting and developing policy and practice in primary school science. It first sets the events after the formation of ASE in 1963 in the context of what went before. It then takes a mainly chronological view of some, but by no means all, of ASE's activities…

Viewed by someone with no involvement, the Association for Science Education (ASE) Annual Conference will seem like an impossibly ambitious task, relying significantly on volunteers (though increasingly supported by a small permanent staff) to organise and run it. Developed from events already established in the former associations, it offers a…