Articles

Issue 19

Life in the line of fire

All major X-ray and neutron facilities employ instrument scientists, who are experimental experts, liaison officers and researchers rolled into one. Andrew Wildes from the Institut Laue-Langevin explains how he juggles his daily tasks.

Ages: 16-19;
Topics: Physics
         

2010-2011 State of the Wild: A Global Portrait, By the Wildlife Conservation Society

2010-2011 State of the Wild: A Global Portrait describes the present state of wildlife and wild places, detailing developments in conservation and examining environmental issues around the world.

Ages: not applicable;
Topics: Resources

Van Gogh’s darkening legacy

The brilliant yellows of van Gogh’s paintings are turning a nasty brown. Andrew Brown reveals how sophisticated X-ray techniques courtesy of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in Grenoble, France, can explain why.

Ages: 14-16, 16-19;
Topics: Physics, Chemistry
             

Science teachers take to the stage

Science recognises no national borders – and neither does Science on Stage, the network for European science teachers. Eleanor Hayes attended the international festival.

Ages: not applicable;
Topics: Events
   

Investigating the causes of schizophrenia

Laurence Reed and Jackie de Belleroche discuss schizophrenia – and how functional genomics could help to identify its causes.

Ages: 16-19;
Topics: Biology, Health
             

Schoolhouse scientists

Sarah Stanley explains how Becky Parker gets her students involved in particle physics at CERN. Why not get your students to join in too?

Ages: not applicable;
Topics: Profiles
       

Neutrinos: an introduction

What do continental drift, nuclear power stations and supernovae have in common? Neutrinos, as Susana Cebrián explains.

Ages: 14-16, 16-19;
Topics: Physics, General science, Astronomy / space, Earth science
               

Moja Island: learning about renewable energy sources

Renewable energy is not only important in the developed world; in developing countries, it may be a prerequisite to overcoming poverty. Marlene Rau introduces a teaching activity from Practical Action.

Ages: 11-14, 14-16;
Topics: Earth science
             

Building a space habitat in the classroom

What does it take to live on the Moon or even Mars? Erin Tranfield suggests an interdisciplinary teaching activity to get your students thinking about this – and learning a lot of science along the way.

Ages: <11, 11-14, 14-16, 16-19;
Topics: Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Astronomy / space