Understanding Science is a complete process-based science course for pupils in the first two years of secondary school. It has been designed to encompass all ranges of ability and to help develop those skills necessary as a foundation for any GCSE or Scottish Standard Grade science course. For each of the two years there is a pupils' book and an accompanying teachers' resource book. The pupils' books offer units dealing with important aspects of science in which key skills are stressed, ranging from general writing and practical skills to those involving experimental design and hypothesizing. A range of open-ended problems and technological issues are included to encourage discussion. There are regular points in the text where pupils can assess their progress. For more advanced pupils, there is also a series of activity-based extensions. The teachers' resource books contain notes which provide guidance on both general issues and specifics, such as equipment and materials for practical work. In addition there is a range of copyright waived support material including unit tests, worksheets and 50 skills sheets.