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…

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…

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.

Inspirational teaching is a fairly well-researched field, and the benefits that it brings to student learning are manifold. Although the characteristics of inspirational teaching practice have been studied, there is no clear, universally recognised framework for understanding them. This article presents the results of a literature review, in…

Earthbound manifestations of gravity in falling objects are distorted by the large mass and size of the Earth. Movement is also affected by air resistance. This article questions whether an approach based on everyday observations is necessarily the best starting point for introducing the idea of Newtonian gravity. Instead, a theoretical approach…

"Learning Landscapes" are assessment tools that can be used formatively to map progress in specific skills in the classroom and can contribute to learning without levels. "Learning Landscapes" can help both teachers and students recognise specific aspects of behaviour linked to a specific skill that provide evidence of their…

The "Evolving 5-19 Biology" report (RSB, 2021) presents eight key recommendations and a framework for the development of biology curricula for ages 5-19. The framework proposes organising the curriculum in 23 coherent themes that form learning progression pathways. These pathways build answers to seven 'big questions' related to big…

This article critically explores the epistemic "practices" of bioscience, using creative writing and analyses of science studies to implicate the non-linguistic side of science where a "feeling for the organism" matters more, perhaps, than theoretical precision. It offers new critique of curricula in science which are so…

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…

This article draws greater attention to the use of language as a pedagogical tool in science teaching and learning. Evidence shows that Alexander's (2020) 'dialogic teaching' approach is significant in promoting learning in science when used interchangeably with authoritative patterns of talk. This article explores dialogic teaching, drawing on…

Initial teacher education (ITE) needs to respond to the huge increase in research in neuroscience that informs our understanding of learning. Educational applications of cognitive psychology, in particular from the field of memory, are strongly evident in government policy documents in England, but as yet the wider contribution of educational…

This article introduces biomimicry as an approach to STEM learning with a strong real-world application. It provides an introduction to biomimicry itself and some of the key principles behind using biomimicry as an approach to design. It draws upon almost three years of work within the BioLearn project, which is working with secondary schools in…

Our connection with nature is important for mental and physical well-being and this connection depends on how we understand, value and engage with the natural world. However, there is persistent evidence that young people remain disconnected from nature. In this article we discuss reasons why many secondary schools in England are having difficulty…

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…

The article describes a science activity designed to increase students' knowledge and awareness of the spread of COVID-19. It helps students achieve scientific literacy through improving their views about the nature of science and their argumentation skills. It also promotes students' engagement in scientific practices such as modelling,…