INSPIRE



UNDERSTAND

Understand

Life without the Moon: a scientific speculation

February 20, 2013 | Issue 26

Soaring temperatures, a flooded landscape, violent winds…. What would our planet be like without the Moon?

Ages: 11-14, 14-16, 16-19
Keywords: Biology, Physics, Evolution, Earth science, Gravity, Relativity

         

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Understand

A thermometer that goes to 200 million degrees

February 20, 2013 | Issue 26

Measuring the temperature inside a fusion reactor is no easy task. Find out how it’s done – and even simulate it in the classroom.

Ages: 16-19
Keywords: Physics, Chemistry, Mechanics, Atomic structure, Electromagnetism, Energy, Optics

           

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Understand

Spinal cord injury: do stem cells have the answer?

February 20, 2013 | Issue 26

Spinal cord injury typically causes permanent paralysis and is currently a condition without a cure. Could stem cell therapy provide hope?

Ages: 11-14, 14-16, 16-19
Keywords: Biology, Biochemistry, Medicine, Immune system, Cell proliferation, Stem cells, Nervous system, Differentiation

         

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Understand

Laying bare our genetic blueprint

February 20, 2013 | Issue 26

What does the majority of our DNA do? Hundreds of scientists have spent years examining these ‘junk’ sequences, which may hold the key to serious diseases – and much more.

Ages: 14-16, 16-19
Keywords: Biology, Genetics, Human Genome Project, Bioinformatics

               

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Understand

Cracking the mystery of how our planet formed

February 20, 2013 | Issue 26

Studying the chemical composition of some of the planet’s oldest rocks has revolutionised our understanding of how our continents formed.

Ages: 11-14, 14-16, 16-19
Keywords: Physics, Chemistry, Earth science, Plate tectonics

             

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Understand

Propping up the wall: how to rescue a leaning tower

February 20, 2013 | Issue 26

Civil engineer John Burland talks about the perils and practicalities of supporting some of the world’s most iconic buildings.

Ages: <11, 11-14, 14-16, 16-19
Keywords: Physics, History, Earth science, General science, Engineering

   

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Understand

Science in space, society and synchrotrons

February 20, 2013 | Issue 26

Science in School is published by EIROforum, a collaboration between eight of Europe’s largest inter-governmental scientific research organisations (EIROs). This article reviews some of the latest news from EIROs.

Ages: not applicable

 

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TEACH

Teach

Casting light on solar wind: simulating aurorae at school

February 20, 2013 | Issue 26

The aurorae are one of the wonders of the natural world. Using some simple apparatus, they and related phenomena can easily be reproduced in the classroom.

Ages: 16-19
Keywords: Physics, Astrophysics, Earth science, Particle physics, Electricity, Ionisation

             

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Teach

The genetics of obesity: a lab activity

February 20, 2013 | Issue 26

Around 1.5 billion people worldwide are overweight or obese. Are we just eating too much or can we blame our genes? Here’s how to investigate the genetics of obesity in the classroom.

Ages: 14-16, 16-19
Keywords: Biology, Genetics, Statistics, Health Education, Nutrition

         

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EDITORIAL

Editorial

Welcome to the twenty-sixth issue of SIS

February 20, 2013 | Issue 26

As I write this editorial, the bare tree branches outside my office are outlined in snow and the ground is dangerously icy. However, by the time this issue of Science in School has been copy edited, laid out, proofread, printed and distributed, those bare branches will be sprouting young…

Ages: not applicable

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