The Search for Simple Substances
A Nature of Science reader that tells the story of how scientists have searched for some simple substances from which everything else might be made. The story starts with the discovery that fire could help to obtain metals from rocks and ends with Mendeleev’s triumphant discovery of the periodic law and the development of his…
10. Electronics of Control Systems
This Association for Science Education (ASE) publication about the Electronics of Controls Systems was developed in association with Marconi. At the time, the company was in the front rank of the world's defence electronics industry. Its wide range of activities also included space systems and computer-based and sonar underwater…
9. Properties of Metals
This Association for Science Education (ASE) publication about properties of metals was developed in association with the British Aerospace Dynamics Group. At the time the Dynamics Group employed over 20,000 people at ten major design/production establishments throughout the UK and had its headquarters at Stevenage. The booklet…
8. Extracting Metals from Scrap
This Association for Science Education (ASE) publication about extracting metals from scrap was developed in association with ECR Ltd. This was a secondary copper refining company which was first established in Birmingham in 1807. Its origins could be traced back to Faraday's work on electroplating. ECR Ltd was then located…
7. Safety in Gas Appliances
This Association for Science Education (ASE) publication about safety in gas appliances was developed in association with the British Gas Corporation. At the time, this was the only gas industry in the world to be involved in every aspect of gas supply. The booklet contained guidance for teachers and notes for students. It included…
The World of Science (Teacher's Resource Book)
This Resource Book includes guidance and answers to questions together with photocopiable activity pages for each of the 44 topics covered in the World of Science textbook. Types of activities The 'World of Science' is not a course but a set of resources to enrich science course in flexible ways. As in the original…
The World of Science (Students' Book)
The World of Science book was based on a selection of the existing SATIS units that had stood the test of time. The project team set up by the Association for Science Education also devised new units to cover topics that had been introduced into the curriculum since SATIS developments started. The textbook is supported by a loose-leaf…
SATIS General Guide for Teachers
The SATIS 'General Guide for Teachers' is a booklet which complements the Teachers' Notes published with the individual SATIS units. It gives more general information about the proejct, about some of the teaching methods, and about other ways of introducing social and technological aspects into the secondary science…
Carbon Footprints and the Greenhouse Effect
In this SATIS Revisited resource students consider the factors that contribute to the greenhouse effect, the possible effects of global warming, and how they as individuals are contributing to carbon dioxide emissions. Climate change is affecting the natural world. The distribution of some species appears to be changing and so…
Biomass and Biofuels
This SATIS Revisited resource looks at the environmental and ecological consequences of further expansion of biofuel crops due to deforestation, biodiversity and landscapes. Biodiesel is a fuel derived from biomass (made from plant materials) that can be used without modification in vehicles with diesel engines. Biodiesel is considered…
Air Quality
Air pollutants arise from natural processes and human activities. In this SATIS Revisited resource, students investigate air pollution, how it is monitored and some effects on human health. Air pollutants arise from a wide variety of sources, although they are mainly a result of the combustion process. It is easy to assume that…
5/5- Publication year: 2000 - 2009
- Activity sheet
Pesticides and Food
In this SATIS Revisited resource, students examine data, perform a risk assessment, and see how risks are sometimes reported in the media. This unit focuses on the consumer and considers whether or not we should be concerned about any pesticide residues that may be found on fruit and vegetables. In the first activity, Pesticides:…
Taking Risks
In this SATIS Revisited resource the activities take students through a comparison of the risks associated with different activities using data at personal, community, national and global levels. There are three activities in this unit, which have been written to be followed sequentially. Students work through a comparison of the…
Difficult Decisions
This SATIS Revisited resource is a structured group discussion activity, which looks at the use and abuse of drugs to enhance sporting performance. The unit provides a rationale for teaching about ethical issues in science for students age 14–16. The aim is to introduce the idea that the discussion of controversial issues…
The Transport Problem
In this SATIS Revisited resource students consider the conflict between the increasing use of energy and the need to reduce the use of fossil fuels in order to lessen carbon dioxide emissions and tackle climate change. The aim of this unit is to introduce the idea that the discussion of controversial issues relating to the conduct…
Animal Research
In this SATIS Revisited resource, students consider the ethical questions that arise from the conflicts between concern for animal welfare and the need to use animals in medical research. The aim is to introduce the idea that the discussion of controversial issues relating to the conduct and application of science involves making…
Kidney Failure
In this SATIS Revisited resource students look at the role of the kidney and treatment of kidney failure by dialysis and with transplants, and explore issues around the shortage of donor organs in the UK. In 2010 the number of individuals requiring kidney transplants in the UK was approximately 8000 people. This number is greater…
- 4/5
- Publication year: 2000 - 2009
- Activity sheet
Skin Cancer
In this resource from the SATIS Revisited collection, students learn about skin cancer and analyse data on the incidence of melanoma. They also learn about use of ultraviolet radiation index forecasts to assess risk. Skin cancers are extremely common, with more than 75 000 new cases registered each year in the UK. There are two…
Eruption Warning
In this SATIS Revisited resource students investigate how scientists monitor seismic activity and warn of impending volcanoes, the limitations of the scientific data collected, and resulting precision level of warnings. In June 1991, Mount Pinatubo erupted in the second largest eruption in the world, during the 20th century. The…
- 4/5
- Publication year: 2000 - 2009
- Activity sheet
Magic Bullet
In this SATIS Revisited resource students trace the developments in drugs and medicines that led to modern chemotherapy. The activity focuses on 'magic bullets' - chemicals that target disease-causing organisms. The central focus of this unit is Paul Ehrlich’s imaginative idea that it should be possible to find…
MRSA
In this SATIS Revisited resource students find out about MRSA infection, whether metals have antimicrobial properties, and the type of work carried out in testing a treatment to assess its effectiveness. MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a highly contagious strain of the Staphylococcus aureus family of bacteria.…
Hilltop
In this SATIS Revisited resource students use real data to determine the cause of illness in cattle on a farm. They analyse the animals' diets to find that the illness is caused by mineral deficiency. This unit has three activities focusing on different farming methods and the relationship between diet and illness. The…
Gold Rush
In this SATIS Revisited resource, students consider the Californian Gold Rush and its impact on the environment through pollution in the food chain and analysis of mercury in fish from local lakes and rivers. This unit is made up of an introductory activity called ‘James and the gold rush’, and one main activity entitled…
SATIS 14-19: Atlas
Published by ASE, the SATIS Atlas is a resource for use with both SATIS 14-16 and SATIS 16-19. It comprises 45 photocopiable maps accompanied by student worksheets and introductory notes for teachers. The maps are all drawn to one of three basic outlines: the UK, Europe and the World. Aims Each map deals with a science-related…
One Hundred Years of the Electron
This book from the Association for Science Education (ASE) covers the history of the discovery of electrons, the underlying science and its applications.The units suggest a variety of activities, including questions, data analysis, reading comprehension and discussion. Contents of this book: Unit 1: J J Thomson and the discovery…
Henri Becquerel and the Discovery of Radioactivity
Written for the Association for Science Education (ASE) to celebrate the centenary of the discovery of radioactivity in 1896, units in this book cover aspects of radioactivity including the underlying science, its applications and social and environmental consequences. A variety of activities are suggested in the book including…
Exploring the Nature of Science: Key Stage Four
This resource from the Association for Science Education contains active work for students linking ideas about the nature of science and its implications to practical laboratory exercises. Units encourage students to be creative in designing and carrying out experimental work. The units include the use of secondary sources such…
Beyond the Visible: One Hundred Years of X-Rays
Written for the Association for Science Education (ASE) in 1995 to celebrate the centenary of the discovery of X-rays by Röntgen, this book contains units of study for Post-16 students on subjects such as the applications of X-rays, ultrasound and magnetic resonance. Some units are also suitable for Key Stage Four and Science…
100 Years of Radium: Marie Curie and the History of Radiochemistry
This book, published by the Association for Science Education (ASE) and The British Society for the History of Science, celebrates the life and work of Marie Curie and the subsequent developments in radiochemistry. The book focuses on the development and applications of radiochemistry and is set out in a collection of units which…
Stars and Forces
This Nature of Science book looks at the history of astronomy and how scientists understanding of the solar system, forces and gravity has developed. The story includes the revolutionary ideas of Copernicus, Galileo and Newton and the theory of magnetism. The chapters are: 1. Stars and gods 2. Revolutionary ideas 3. Galileo's…
The Big Squeeze
A Nature of Science book which tells the story of scientists growing understanding of the theories of atmospheric pressure and vacuums. The story starts with ancient civilisations use of wind pressure and 'squeezed air' and goes on to describe the use of pumps, the confirmation that vacuums exist and the use of these…
Discovering the Cure for Scurvy
A Nature of Science book which tells the story of how a cure was found for Scurvy, an illness that had been killing people for hundreds of years. The chapters are: 1. Magnetism and astronomy for voyages 2. 'The curse of the mouth' 3. Old theories and old cures 4. New medical science 5. The disease of rich babies 6.…