Fun-Size

These Fun-Size activities, from the Association for Science Education (ASE), are short 5-15 minute activities that enliven lessons. They range from short games and word plays through to quick demonstrations.They are part of the SYCD: Science Year Is There Life? collection.

Many of these have been kindly donated by teachers. Fun-size is particularly useful when teachers are working outside their specialist area at Key Stage Three. These activities are based around the 'Is there life?' theme.

1.Rocky bingo
A bingo-style activity using key words from QCA 8G and 8H topics. A question list and up to 50 different bingo cards are included.

2. Periodic Table Bingo
A bingo-style activity using words and properties of elements. This covers content from 8E and 8F of the QCA topics. A question list and up to 50 different bingo cards are included.

3. Gravity and Space Traffic Lights game
How can you manage a whole class answering a question at once? Give them red, amber and green cards to denote yes, don't know and no. Then ask true / false style questions.

4. A-Z Quiz
26 questions on physics topics covered in Key Stage Three curriculum. Do this against the clock to find the highest score.

5. Speed pelmanism
The old "pairs" game where the pairs are not identical, but two halves of a question about speed and forces.

6. The Link game
Game rules and questions based on general knowledge of space.

7. Solar System loop
Question loop based around QCA SoW 7L Solar System.

8. Starting Forces and Space loop
Question loop cards recapping and revising content from KS2 5E Earth, Sun & Moon and 6E Forces.

9. Tips and hints on using Mindmaps
Information and guidance rules about using mindmap activities in the classroom. From the Learner's Co-operative, Plymouth.

10. Forces Mindmaps
A comprehensive collection of Forces mindmaps for KS3 use. Remove a section of the map and get students to complete it for themselves.

11. Gravity and Space Mindmaps
Another collection of mindmaps for Key Stage Three use.

12. Fruity and Seedy Planets
Simple demonstrations and tasks based on modelling the size of the planets with fruits and seeds.

13. Famous Scientist Stickers
A series of stickers to print out on label stationery. Use them as an award for achievement.

14. Key Word Poem
Creative literacy work in the science classroom.

15. Cartoon Mnemonics
Using mnemonics is a traditional prompt to learning.

16. Luke Skywalker's Space Speeder
Make a simple friction free puck with a waste CD and a balloon. Demonstrate balanced forces in a low friction environment.

17. Jokes

18. Spacebreakers game
All you need for a well-known TV game aimed at students.

19. Science, Technology and Reading
An excerpt from the STAR* publication from the ASE, which shows how scientific writing can stimulate ethical debate and creative work.

20. Cool and Fun
An excerpt from the ASE collection of 100 science poems by school students.

• URL: http://stem.org.uk/rxk4