Catalyst
Catalyst is a topical magazine that offers features on a wide range of themes from the science curriculum bringing them to life with insights into cutting-edge research and practical applications of complex science in the world around us. Catalyst magazine is aimed mainly at science students aged 14-16. Many of its articles are written by practising research scientists who describe their current work and how they go about it. Other articles have a historical flavour, describing scientific developments from the past.
Articles cover advances in biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, earth science and medicine. However, students can also learn about the ways in which scientists work, commonly referred to as ‘How Science Works’ (HSW).
Each magazine issue consists of four major articles, of which three typically cover physics, chemistry and biology. These major articles are usually linked to current developments in scientific research and are often written by the scientists or engineers involved. The fourth article is cross-disciplinary and shows how science research often calls upon experts across all disciplines. Shorter articles look at the broader issues in science, science-related careers and ideas for experiments that teachers can use in the classroom and students can try at home. The centrespread has a single dramatic image with two or three pages of explanatory text.
The articles available in this collection cover Volumes 13 to Volume 21 (the most recent) and cover the years 2003 - 2011. New issues of Catalyst will be added to this collection as they are published.
Catalyst is a science magazine for students aged 14-19 years. Annual subscriptions to print copies of the magazine can be purchased from Mindsets.
HEALTH and SAFETY
Any use of a resource that includes a practical activity must include a risk assessment.
Please note that collections may contain ARCHIVE resources, which were developed at a much earlier date.
Since that time there have been significant changes in the rules and guidance affecting laboratory practical work.
Further information is provided in our Health and Safety guidance.
Catalyst Volume 23 Issue 4
This issue of Catalyst contains the following articles: Investigating poisoning This article looks at criminal poisoning and shows how forensic science is used to solve serious murder cases. Mount Etna - Europe's biggest volcano This article takes a look at Mount Etna on the Italian island of Sicily, the biggest and…
Catalyst Volume 23 Issue 3
This issue of Catalyst includes the following articles: Speak to Me, Lichen In this article, students at La Sainte Union Catholic School in North London investigate the link between lichen species and air pollution around their school. Fracking: an Energy Revolution? This article looks at hydraulic fracking, the process…
Catalyst Volume 23 Issue 2
This issue of Catalyst includes the following articles: Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies or Weetabix This article looks at how scientists can use material recovered from archaeological sites to see how crops have been introduced to different countries over the history of farming. Alison Foster: a Chemist in the World of Plants Alison…
Catalyst Volume 23 Issue 1
This issue of Catalyst includes the following articles: "I Am the Greatest" This article discusses the science behind motivation in sport. Psychologists are developing theories to explain how athletes' thinking can help their performance. Curious About Mars This article looks at NASA's Mars Curiosity rover,…
Catalyst Volume 22 Issue 4
This issue of Catalyst includes the following articles: Fighting Fit This Catalyst article looks at how exercise affects our immunity and susceptibility to infection. Recent research indicates that a person's level of physical activity affects their immune function, influencing their risk of respiratory tract infections…
Catalyst Volume 22 Issue 3
This issue of Catalyst includes the following articles: The Price of Rice This article looks at how genetics has increased yields of rice, a staple food for billions of people. What Causes the Aurora? The aurora borealis is caused by the interaction of the solar wind with the Earth's magnetic field. This article explains…
Catalyst Volume 22 Issue 2
This issue of Catalyst includes the following articles: Diving Deep Many mammal species can dive to great depths. This article explores how their bodies are adapted to cope with the great pressures involved. Jewellery Metals This article focuses on how jewellery is traditionally made from metals such as gold, silver and platinum…
Catalyst Volume 22 Issue 1
This issue of Catalyst includes the following articles: Food Waste Recycling - Power from Potato Peelings This article looks at how food waste can be treated by anaerobic digestion to produce methane and fertiliser. Circadian Rhythms Most organisms have some kind of 'body clock'; scientists are trying to show how…
Catalyst Volume 21 Issue 4
This issue of Catalyst includes the following articles: Science on the Western Front Archaeologists are using many aspects of science to identify the remains of soldiers who were killed in the First World War. Cloud Control This article explains how meteorologists use a variety of techniques to seed clouds and induce rainfall. Try…
Catalyst Volume 21 Issue 3
This issue of Catalyst includes the following articles: Phytoplasmas - Friend or Foe? Phytoplasmas are micro-organisms that affect crop plants, modifying their growth. Botanists are seeking to counter their effects. The Chemistry of the Noble Gases The noble gases (Group 0 or 8 in the periodic table) are almost inert. This…
Catalyst Volume 21 Issue 2
This issue of Catalyst includes the following articles: Money, Mistakes and the Birth of a Science Looking at how the laying of telegraph cables across the ocean bed has led to the science of oceanography. Your Future: Animal Technician This careers article looks at working with laboratory animals and their ethical treatment. Ten…
Catalyst Volume 21 Issue 1
This issue of Catalyst includes the following articles: Ocean Iron Fertilisation This article investigates whether adding iron to the oceans could reduce global warming. Solar Surface The article looks at sunspots and what they can reveal about the nature and activity of the Sun. Biofuels from Waste The use of bacteria…
Catalyst Volume 20 Issue 4
This issue of Catalyst includes the following articles: Carbon Capture This article investigates some ideas for reducing the amount of carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere and slowing down the effects of climate change. Biomimetics The article describes how new materials can be designed by studying natural materials and…
Catalyst Volume 20 Issue 3
This issue of Catalyst includes the following articles: Molecules From the Past This article shows how analysing molecular residues in ancient objects helps to reveal how people and animals once lived. When the Drugs Don't Work The article investigates why there are many anti-bacterial drugs but few antivirals. How…
Catalyst Volume 20 Issue 2
This issue of Catalyst includes the following articles: Chemistry in a Cage Zeolites are naturally occurring sponge-like materials which can be used as chemical sieves and catalysts. Dorothy Hodgkin: a Life in Science This article introduces Dorothy Hodgkin and her work as an X-ray crystallographer. Fishing for Clues…
Catalyst Volume 20 Issue 1
This issue of Catalyst includes the following articles: Plasma Prominences and Cosmic Rays This article focuses on using remote telescopes and detecting cosmic rays. Ignaz Semmelweis: Saviour of Mothers This article describes the discovery of puerperal fever which lead to a dramatic decrease in the number of deaths in childbirth. Radar…
Catalyst Volume 19 Issue 4
A special edition of Catalyst focusing on the work of Charles Darwin including articles on: Celebrating Darwin This article provides an interesting outline of the life and work of Charles Darwin. A Box of Beetles Darwin's beetle collection, an early step in his scientific career, is the main focus of this article. The…
Catalyst Volume 19 Issue 3
Articles in this issue of Catalyst include: Water Power: the Micro-Hydro Revolution The article looks at a micro-hydroelectric power station on a river in Yorkshire. Bioluminescence: Learning From Glow Worms The science of bioluminescence is the main focus of this article. What's in a Name? The article looks at…
Catalyst Volume 19 Issue 2
This issue of Catalyst includes the following articles: In the Pink: Colour from Carotenes This article explains how pigments pass along a food chain through a process called bioamplification. Using Shape Memory Alloys The article draws on the use of smart materials to help people with dementia live at home. Selling Science…
Catalyst Volume 19 Issue 1
This issue of Catalyst includes the following articles: Forensic Entomology This article describes how insects are used to provide clues at crime scenes. Lucie Green – Astronomer This article presents the life and career of Lucie Green, an astronomer and broadcaster. Fantastic Plastic The many uses of polymers…
Catalyst Volume 18 Issue 4
This issue of Catalyst contains articles on: Body Sensors Networks This article describes body sensor networks which are tiny electronic sensors used to monitor the movement of patients, athletes and game players. Cool Chemistry This article draws on the work of a scientist from the British Antarctic Survey, gathering data…
Collection author
Resource by: Gatsby Science Enhancement Programme
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