We provide a design for a low cost orientable search coil that can be used to investigate the variation of magnetic flux with angle. This experiment is one of the required practical activities in the current A level physics specification for the AQA examination board in the UK. We demonstrate its performance and suggest other suitable…

High winds and heavy rain are regular features of the British weather, and forecasting these events accurately is a major priority for the Met Office and other forecast providers. This is the challenge facing DIAMET, a project involving university groups from Manchester, Leeds, Reading, and East Anglia, together with the Met Office. DIAMET is part…

The Apollo missions brought back 382kg of Moon rock. The financial cost of getting these rocks was historically eye-watering so, understandably, NASA is choosy about who gets to play with them. Many go to scientists for laboratory investigation, but some have been set aside for loan to schools and the public. Luckily, the UK was allowed some,…

This article looks at how space can provide a context for the teaching of STEM subjects. It explores how space fits with the new curriculum, and outlines what resources are available for teachers from the National STEM Centre eLibrary. In November 2015, the UK sends its first official astronaut into space, Tim Peake. His mission can provide a…

The Met Office has a long history of weather forecasting, creating tailored weather forecasts for customers across the world. Based in Exeter, the Met Office is also home to the Met Office Hadley Centre, a world-leading centre for the study of climate change and its potential impacts. Climate information from the Met Office Hadley Centre is used…

Discusses the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen in the form of ammonia as one of the foundations of modern chemical industry. The article describes ammonia production and synthesis, purifying the hydrogen-nitrogen mix, nitric acid production, and its commericial plant. (HM)

Presents some of the preliminary results of a survey study about the use of both the revised publications and GCE O-Level examinations for Nuffield Chemistry in 495 British schools and colleges in 1979. (HM)

Describes an applied physics course which has been taught at Liverpool Polytechnic in the United Kingdom. Objectives, experimental work and assessment of the course are included. (HM)

Presents an outline of the chemistry involved and the steps which are being taken to gain a better understanding of the stratosphere. Chemical composition of natural stratosphere and depletion of ozone in the stratosphere by man-made pollutants are covered. (HM)

Examines problems associated with children's use of science text, the implied literacy demands of learning science from currently available science books and schemes, and the extent to which the current interpretation of literacy advocated by the National Literacy Strategy encompasses the skills needed to learn science from a book. Includes…

The advent of cheaper SLR digital cameras and associated software has allowed the rapid creation of digital images. We explain three simple techniques that allow the generation of micrographs. A further technique is described that allows the production of an image from a full section of the microscope slide. Class sets of micrographs greatly…

Presents eight selected middle school science notes which could be used in school science courses. Each includes the name of the author and a description of activities suggested. (HM)

Describes the use of transistors instead of valves for Lecher line and radiation demonstrations. Two oscillator circuits which provide power for Lecher line use are described. Impedance of Lecher line is also discussed. (HM)

Presents a review prepared by the British Meteorological Society which covers 51 films for use in teaching meteorology in higher education or secondary schools. (HM)

Discusses some basic physical ideas about light scattering and describes a simple Raman spectrometer, a single prism monochromator and a multiplier detector. This discussion is intended for British undergraduate physics students. (HM)