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…

Genetics forms a major part of A-level biology specifications in the UK for 16- to 18-yearolds. Research has identified several reasons why learning genetics is hard. However, research has not investigated whether examiner reports are useful for identifying difficult genetics concepts for students. This research explored the extent to which…

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…

The bicycle is one of the greatest locomotive machines ever invented. It is also a perfect vehicle for you to teach some of the ideas that are taught in forces topics to 11- to 16-year-olds. In this article we look at some of the ways in which you can use the bicycle and cycling to provide an alternative and engaging context for teaching some of…

Every day we deal with chemistry in various forms, but sometimes we don't see that. An example is biosensors that help us to evaluate health conditions, monitor environmental pollution and ensure food freshness. The most well known (and most widely sold) is the biosensor for blood glucose measurement, used every day by people with diabetes.…

An introduction to the noble gases and chemical bonding via Lewis theory and the octet rule are common inclusions in secondary school curricula. However, the usual approach may lead to misconceptions and difficulties when valence bond (VB) theory and valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory are taught at a later pre-university stage.…

A pilot study, funded by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, supported 10 secondary schools across England to plan and deliver open-ended investigative practical work within science curriculum time. This enabled all students to experience the benefits of investigative work, rather than just those attending extracurricular STEM enrichment activities.…

The infrared camera, or thermal imaging camera, can be used to complement the teaching of a number of topics in high school science. Here, we provide seven examples of its application in teaching physics, chemistry and biology concepts at high school level. We also discuss its strengths for such applications and provide some pointers for science…

Conrad Hal Waddington (1905--1975) was an English biologist who was especially interested in the big (metaphysical) questions of life. His thinking has become part of the foundation of modern systems biology. This article applies his thinking to middle-years school biology curricula (for ages 11-16), to see if their approach to epistemic questions…

This brief article shows how the simple events of our everyday lives can lead to a deep understanding of the world around us. These everyday events help students make sense of the scientific ideas we present to them.

Inquiry projects can play an important role in science education, despite involving significant challenges for teachers and students. Based on historical references, small groups of students and their teachers carried out inquiry projects on the ability of certain insects to 'revive' after remaining immersed in water for some time. The striking…

Online multiple-choice instruments to diagnose students' understanding of science concepts are easily developed and administered to students using Google Forms. This article describes a web-based three-tier multiple-choice test for the formative assessment of students' understanding of chemical bonding. The results obtained can lead to follow-up…

This sixth-form chemistry activity describes how students can use acid-base titrimetry to investigate how adding salt to the aqueous phase may change the value of the partition coefficient of an organic acid between water and 2-methylpropan-1-ol. While the presence of lithium chloride and sodium chloride increases the value of the partition…

Balanced science was a possible answer to a perceived need in England, Wales and Northern Ireland for students to study the three major science subjects up to age 16 without taking too large a proportion of curriculum time. Experience has shown that it is not a simple problem to solve, and this article describes various attempts going back several…

Science Hunters is a UK outreach project that uses "Minecraft" (a computer game that allows children to build with a wide range of blocks) to engage children with science. Sessions are based on a range of science topics and include practical activities. A new topic, on bioluminescence, was designed in collaboration with staff and…