He wants to establish whether it was part of a practical activity taught to and studied by sailors looking to navigate by the stars.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Wales | Scholar revives ancient subject

The chief executive of the Association for Science Education, Annette Smith, said it did not assess science as it happened in primary schools - as an active, practical activity which built on children's curiosity and observation skills.

BBC: All school Sats tests 'might go'

Their favourite activity is to ask each other questions about practical research problems, from DNA-sequencing techniques to statistical tricks.

ECONOMIST: More connective tissue may make academia more efficient