Magic Melting Ice Cubes
Simon Quinnell, from the National Science Learning Centre, shows how to carry out some ‘magic’ at the Christmas dinner table using ice cubes, a plastic chopping board and a frying pan. When asked to feel the plastic and the metal, people usually describe the plastic as warmer to the touch. They are then surprised…
Magic Gas
Simon Quinnell, from the National Science Learning Centre, demonstrates the properties of gases in this surprising Christmas table experiment. He drops an effervescent digestion tablet into a wine glass containing some water to generate carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide is heavier than air, and can be poured over a candle flame.…
Flying Tinsel
Simon Quinnell, from the National Science Learning Centre, demonstrates static electricity and charge using a balloon and a piece of plastic tinsel. Rubbing the balloon on a jumper builds up a negative charge on its surface. When the positively charged tinsel is dropped onto the surface of the balloon it is first attracted to…
Jumping Candle Flame
Simon Quinnell, from the National Science Learning Centre, shows how to carry out some ‘magic’ at the Christmas dinner table using a candle and a match. After letting the candle burn for a minute, Simon blows the flame out so that the smoke continues to rise above it. Then when a match is placed near the wick, the…
Demonstrations for the Christmas Dinner Table
In this Science Learning Centre video, Simon Quinnell demonstrates four experiments, with the theme of Christmas, that teachers can do in the school laboratory. These are: • Tea bag convection - see how a burning teabag mysteriously rises on convection currents in the air around it. • The candle demonstration - generate…
Jelly Liquidiser
In this Christmas table experiment, Simon Quinnell, from the National Science Learning Centre, demonstrates why pineapple should not be added to jelly. When he adds pineapple to a bowl of jelly, the jelly liquefies due to the action of an enzyme in the fruit which breaks down the gelatin. This is an example of a defence…
Primary Science Activities for Winter
In this National Science Learning Centre video, Zoe Crompton shows two activities that primary teachers can use in the winter. Each one involves using snow or ice. The first activity is inspired by the question "Why do we put salt on the roads?" It demonstrates a fair test to compare the effectiveness of table salt and…
Case Study: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Produced for Future Morph, this resource includes a video in which a student talks about his course in electrical and electronic engineering. He describes how one project was to make and test a circuit that included a light-sensitive resistor. A second activity describes a class experiment into the current and voltage characteristics…
Case Study: Animal Care
Produced for Future Morph, these resources consist of a short video and an accompanying classroom activity. In the video, a First Diploma in Animal Care student describes her work on the course. She illustrates how the course gives experience relevent to working in a range of environments including farming, zoos and small animal…
Case Study: Vehicle Maintenance
Produced for Future Morph, this video clip shows an apprentice in motor vehicle maintenance talking about her work and college course. She describes how a car's engine is tested to find a fault with its fuelling. An additional activity describes a classroom demonstration that shows the products of hydrocarbon combustion.…
Earth Science
This is a selection of resources from the Association for Science Education (ASE) which support earth science teaching for students aged 11-16. Rock cycle: A PowerPoint template that students use to produce their own ICT presentation based on the formation of the different types of rock. This is approached through reference to specific…
Case Study: Landbased Technology
Produced for Future Morph, this short video shows the activities of a student studying a National Diploma in Land Based Technology at Bicton College. The student describes how the course develops skills in the maintenance and repair of machinery such as tractors, commercial vehicles and other agricultural technology. The students…
Case Study: Dispensing Optics
Produced for Future Morph, this short video looks at several students following opthalmic dispensing and contact lens courses. The students describe the work they are doing with lenses and how this relates to the science they learnt at GCSE level. It illustrates some of the career opportunities available in the eyecare industry. Also…