Creating pleasant musical sounds by vibrating the strings of musical instruments such as guitars and violins is the result of the type of instrument played as well as the mastery of the player. This article explains the physics of vibrating strings caused either by a bow drawn over them or by being plucked, and provides a simple analysis to…

This article describes low-cost well plates that can be used as alternative kits for microscale experiments. Although ordinary well plates are useful and convenient for microscale experiments, they are not cheap. We have developed well plates composed of plastic bottle caps with approximately 3cm diameter and cardboard containers. Plastic bottle…

The formation of waves as used for surfing close to the shore is described and explained, and linked to other wave topics that are covered in school science. Of course, there are differences because the wave activity is influenced by many factors, such as the weather and the shape of the shoreline, which make the wave patterns much more…

Teaching through discrepant event activities increases student interest in science. In this article, I will introduce a well-known 19th century demonstration, the Tissandier experiment, to stimulate curiosity among students learning the concept of inertia. In this demonstration, a hard object (e.g. a wooden rod) placed on fragile supports is…

The mathematical method of linear equations involving the coefficients of the equation of a chemical reaction can be used to balance the equation of nearly every chemical reaction. For its application, only the rules of simple algebra need be known. Hence, the method could even be used by students of an elementary chemistry course.

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,…

Creativity lies at the heart of science teaching and learning. However, stereotypically, creativity is more widely associated with the arts than the sciences. In this article, we challenge this perception and demonstrate how to teach for and with creativity in science. With developments in artificial intelligence, the need to foster students'…

This article considers to what degree the UK depends on nuclear power for the generation of electricity and examines the problems, environmental and technical, associated with radioactive waste. Historical failings, the waste backlog, classification, modern handling techniques and with decisions about final disposal are outlined to provide an…

The third edition of the ASE's "Teaching Secondary Biology" sets out a vision for teaching and learning biology. Learning biology is not about learning the contents of a textbook. It is about conceptual learning, learning what it means to do biology and learning what it means to be a biologist. Our hope is that "Teaching Secondary…

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,…

Science and technology play an important role in modern medicine and experience shows that, although school students and their relatives are likely to have experienced some of the complex procedures available today, they are generally not aware of the science behind them. Demonstrations that link school science to medical procedures can therefore…

The Gatsby "Good Practical Science" report (Gatsby, 2017) identified opportunities to carry out open-ended investigative projects as one of ten benchmarks for good practical science. However, there is currently no requirement for post-16 students in England to have access to such opportunities as this is not required by A-level…

In this article we describe a demonstration for most of the elements from the periodic table which together constitute the show "An Elemental Spectacle: A Guided Tour of the Darker Reaches of the Periodic Table."

We often say food and fuels "contain" energy. It is more accurate to say that energy is stored in the "fuel-oxygen system" generated during photosynthesis. It is definitely "not" stored in fuels or food (except for the very small amount of energy that can be obtained during anaerobic respiration). Aerobic respiration…

Nitrogen gas dominates the Earth's atmosphere but is largely ignored. Molecular nitrogen is extremely stable and so nitrogen is termed inert. What would happen if another 'inert' gas were the dominant species instead of molecular nitrogen? Here we show how unique nitrogen is and how important it has been to life on planet Earth.