Articles

Evolving threats: investigating new zoonotic infections

In the African forest, Fabian Leendertz and his team look for new infectious agents that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Could one of them cause the next pandemic?

Ages: 14-16, 16-19;
Topics: Biology, Health
         

Issue 26

Life without the Moon: a scientific speculation

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

Ages: 11-14, 14-16, 16-19;
Topics: Physics, Biology
         

A thermometer that goes to 200 million degrees

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;
Topics: Physics, Chemistry
           

Spinal cord injury: do stem cells have the answer?

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;
Topics: Biology, Health
         

Casting light on solar wind: simulating aurorae at school

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;
Topics: Physics, Astronomy / space, Earth science
             

The genetics of obesity: a lab activity

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;
Topics: Biology, Health
         

Laying bare our genetic blueprint

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;
Topics: Biology
               

Cracking the mystery of how our planet formed

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;
Topics: Physics, Chemistry, Earth science
             

Propping up the wall: how to rescue a leaning tower

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;
Topics: Physics, Earth science, Engineering