This article endeavours to define how the application of incorrect or wrong solutions to mathematical equations or problems can be used to help stimulate students to perform a critical analysis of the mathematics being applied or the context of the equations used. The context of the application is discussed together with the specific learning…

If you have not yet come across Practical Action's teaching resources, this article will open your eyes to a wealth of free high-quality materials that will support your teaching of science within a real-life global context. The potential benefits and importance of this approach, both for increasing student engagement in science and for the future…

Three projects that use evidence- and research-based practice to engage and support three under-served audiences -- children with special educational needs (Science Hunters -- Lancaster University), young carers (Young Carer Chemistry Workshops at Cotton On -- Science from the Start) and girls and women in engineering (Women Like Me -- UWE…

Meteorology is an important branch of science that offers exciting career opportunities and yet is not usually included in school curricula. The availability of multi-rotor model aircraft (drones) offers an exciting opportunity to bring meteorology into school science.

This article reviews the use of "bridging units" in science to improve curriculum continuity during transition from primary to secondary school. Based on research evidence collected over several decades, it suggests that the use of these units rose to a peak around the time of the millennium, but that in recent years few schools have…

Dips in pupils' science attitudes and performance when they transfer from primary to secondary school in England are well established. They have been related to a variety of factors, including repetition of science content at year 7 and differences in the pedagogical approaches taken by primary and secondary teachers. One potential way forward…

The capture-mark-release-recapture method provides a simple way to estimate population size. However, when used as part of ecological sampling, this method does not easily allow an opportunity to evaluate the accuracy of the calculation because the actual population size is unknown. Here, we describe a method that can be used to measure the…

Digital badges are graphical representations of an accomplishment. Open badges are a subset of digital badges, an image file in which additional data, metadata, are embedded. Not only will an open badge contain a description of the badge, the criteria, the issuer and issue date, but also, when appropriate, standards, tags, expiry date and…

Progression and continuity are cornerstones of the National Curriculum for England and yet it seems these slip after pupils transfer to secondary school, causing pupils to regress in science. Part of the solution is to provide continuity with challenge without repeating what has already been experienced and achieved. This article describes…

This article provides details of a successful educational engineering project run in partnership between a group of ten schools and an international engineering, construction and technical services company. It covers the history and evolution of the project and highlights how the project has significant impact not only on the students involved but…

Part 1 in this four-part series of articles discussed Piaget's theories of learning and development (Crossland, 2016). Part 2 explores how post-Piagetian researchers have addressed criticisms of Piaget's theories by linking recent evidence including that from neuroscience. The outcomes show that good teachers make a difference by implementing…

The 1998 Nuffield Foundation report "Beyond 2000: Science Education for the Future," by Robin Millar and Jonathan Osborne, produced ten recommendations and had a major effect on curriculum development in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Twenty years after its publication, I pose ten questions for science education. The hope is that…

Parts 1 and 2 in this four-part series of articles (Crossland, 2016, 2017a) discussed the recent research from neuroscience linked to concepts from cognitive development that brought Piaget's theories into the 21st century and showed the most effective provision towards more optimal learning strategies. Part 2 reviewed Demetriou's latest thinking…

When teachers ask questions or devise activities that encourage pupils to talk, they set up opportunities for assessment. To act on these data, teachers need to convert judgements into decisions about next steps and guidance for pupils on how best to move their learning forward. This is a complex process that requires skill and action, both for…

Tim Peake's mission to the International Space Station captured the imagination of the UK and this article describes a live radio link with him, to help him to reach out to pupils across the country and inspire them in STEM subjects. It describes the project, from bidding for the opportunity to host it, to the planning and realisation of the…