Climate on Trial
This main unit in the Ideas and Evidence pack from the Pupil Researcher Initiative shows that scientists do not always have the answer. Understanding how the environment works can be very complicated, as there are so many factors involved. A good example of this is global warming where not everyone is certain that the climate is…
Polluted Air
This main unit in the Ideas and Evidence pack from the Pupil Researcher Initiative is about how charts, graphs and computer software make it easier to communicate scientific information. They can also make help people to spot patterns when there is a lot of data to analyse. The unit is based on data about air pollution, which is…
Safe Drinking Water
This main unit in the Ideas and Evidence pack from the Pupil Researcher Initiative is about how scientists draw different types of graphs to communicate data, and make patterns easy to see. Students learn that whether they should draw a bar chart or a line graph depends on the nature of the data. This is illustrated by the types…
Pupil Research Briefs – Chemistry Briefs
This Pupil Research Brief (PRB), designed by a team at the Centre for Science Education, supports the teaching and learning of chemistry at GCSE and Scottish Standard Grade levels. Each brief was targeted at a topic within the curriculum at the time. The study guide provides a structure to guide the students through the brief and…
5/5- Publication year: 2000 - 2009
- Activity sheet
Pupil Research Briefs - General Teacher Notes
Pupil Research Briefs (PRBs), produced by the Centre for Science Education, were designed to support the teaching and learning of science (including the separate sciences) at GCSE and Scottish Standard Grade levels. Each brief was targeted at a topic within the curriculum at the time. Most PRBs also provided opportunities for…
- 5/5
- Publication year: 2000 - 2009
- Teacher guidance
Addicted to Energy
This activity, from the Centre for Science Education and the Comino Foundation, is set in the context of choosing a birthday gift. It encourages students to think about carbon footprints. Which goods and services cause the biggest carbon dioxide emissions? What choices can we make to minimise emissions?
Green Biker
This resource, from the Centre for Science Education and the Comino Foundation, investigates how demand for green transport is growing and companies are working hard to meet this demand. This activity encourages students to evaluate eco-friendly motor bikes, and communicate their findings to the readers of Green Biker magazine.
Sea Chemistry
These activities, from the Centre for Science Education's Science Assessment Tasks for More Able Students, were developed as part of '2005 - Year of the Sea'. The student activities consist of three assessment tasks. These are backed up by a set of exemplar materials for teachers to support their judgements. In…
Why Choose Physics and Chemistry?
This report, by the Institute of Physics (IOP) and the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), examines the factors underlying the subject choices of ethnic-minority students. It reports research into the factors affecting the decisions of under-represented ethnic groups to study physics and/or chemistry at A-level and/or at university.
Is it Terminal for Teflon?
This Science upd8 resource focuses on the chemical PFOA (perflurooctanoic acid), which is used in Teflon manufacture and is reportedly linked with an increase in the risk of developing allergies. In this activity students examine some of the evidence surrounding PFOA and consider a range of viewpoints.
Bulb Danger
This Science upd8 activity draws on a recent Government warning about poisonous mercury from low energy light bulbs being a risk to users. But is this risk worth the benefits of using low energy light bulbs? In this activity students rank risks and benefits to help them decide.
- 3/5
- Publication year: 2000 - 2009
- Group work
Fake
In this Science upd8 activity students use chemical techniques and reactions to investigate a crime scene. Students learn about the particle model to solve a crime that has been committed in an art gallery. They compare ways to show fingerprints including using the sublimation of iodine.
Pirates Treasure Mystery
This Science upd8 activity is inspired by the film Pirates of the Caribbean. What are the contents of the treasure chest? What metal is the key made of? What happened to the treasure after decades under the sea?
CSI 5/11 - Murder in the Park
In this Science upd8 activity students perform a CSI investigation to find the murderer in the park on Guy Fawkes' Night. They encounter a variety of science on the way, from rocket science to electron energy levels. They learn how those colour-giving electrons that make fireworks so much fun, fit into the atoms that make…
What's Moving on Titan?
This Science upd8 activity draws on Titan which is the biggest of Saturn's moons. There are two student activities; one involves labelling a diagram to tell students on Earth about the nature of Titan. The other asks students to take the role of Titanian space explorers and use data to compare the solids, liquids and gases on…
Making Rain
Can we solve the problem of summer water shortages by making rain? In this Science upd8 activity students learn about the significance of droplet size in natural rain formation. They then look at Chinese experiences of 'cloud seeding' before annotating a graphic to show how it works.
Cyclone
This Science upd8 resource draws on cyclone Sidr which hit Bangladesh in November 2007. Millions were left homeless and 3,000 people were killed. The activity asks students to look at how cyclones happen and addresses the common misconception that air is 'nothing' and weightless.
Kidney Stones
This resource from Science upd8 revolves around the subject of kidney stones. Dehydration can cause excruciating pain from kidney stones. This activity stimulates discussion through a stunning image of a vicious-looking kidney stone. Students apply their knowledge of saturated solutions and crystallisation to find out how it formed.
Instant Ice-Cream
In this Science upd8 resource students take on the role of a marketeer trying to sell a new instant ice-cream vending machine. They use PowerPoint’s simple animation features and a gallery of images to explain the science behind the process of mixing flavours and quick freezing.
Sulphur
This Science upd8 activity focuses on sulphur, which is usually the element fingered for the blame when it comes to pollution. Students research sulphur to get the low down on this "Jekyll and Hyde" chemical; then act out a trial of the suspect element.