7 - Editorial

8 - Notes and news

13 - Science Year and the ASE

17 - Letters

23 - Biology statistics made simple using Excel Neil Millar
Spreadsheet programs such as Microsoft Excel can transform the use of statistics in A-level science

35 - Science teaching and literacy, part 1: Writing Rebecca Staples and Russ Heselden
The first of three articles on bringing the key stage 3 literacy strategy into science teaching

47 - Presenting the 'big ideas' of science: Earth science examples Chris King
The 'big ideas' of science are best understood as rounded 'explanatory stories'.
An example of an 'explanatory Earth story' on plate tectonics is described in detail and others are outlined.

55 - Electric circuits: a new approach - part 1 David Shipstone and Peter C-H. Cheng
Many students experience difficulties in understanding the behaviour of electric circuits. Perhaps it is time to look at circuits from a new perspective.

65 - Risk, environment and health: aspects of policy and practiceJustin Dillon and Peter Gill
A case is made for a radical reappraisal of the science curriculum to promote understanding of risk and probability

75 - The big crunch - models in physics meet the real world Brian Fisher
The mismatch between theory and observation can be a springboard that challenges our simplistic assumptions and promotes critical thinking.

85 - Enhancing museum visits through webpage development Frankie McKeon
Use of the Internet can increase the learning potential of a visit to a science museum

91 - Can a novice be viewed as an expert upside-down? Ian M. Kinchin
The use of concept maps to compare novices with experts may help to promote the development of expertise.

97 - A word too many? Michael F. Walker
Can we do without chromatids?

99 - Science notes

• Structure of the heart: an explicable anomaly Chris Talbot
• An alternative way to study the role and activity of the catalase enzyme M. Marques, J. D. Arrabaca and I. Chagas
• A water-band displacement experiment to study stoichiometry Brahm Parkash
• Percentage error ¨C an analogy Clifford Jones
• Modelling wave speed in a solid Bernard Taylor
• Energy-saving bulbs ¨C not such a bright idea? Stuart St John

111 - Reviews

126 - Science websearch

128 - Brief notes for contributors

128 - Index to advertisers