Episode 206: Uniform and Non-uniform Acceleration
This learning episode, from the Institute of Physics, looks at basic kinematics and introduces the equations of motion for uniform acceleration. It involves practicing calculations and compares uniform with non-uniform acceleration. Activities look at: • non-uniform acceleration down a ramp • deriving the equations…
Episode 530: X- ray Diffraction
This learning episode, from the Institute of Physics, uses laser light to demonstrate the phenomenon of diffraction and then applies this understanding to x-rays, Bragg's law and crystallography. The activities in this episode look at: • students’ knowledge of X-rays • diffraction and the limits of resolution…
Episode 316: Preparation for Reflection and Refraction Topic
These activities, from the Institute of Physics, give an overview of reflection and refraction. The emphasis is on an interpretation in terms of waves. Applications, particularly those involving total internal reflection, are considered. The series of learning episodes include: Episode 317: Reflection and refraction of waves…
Does Melting Ice Expand?
Produced by Nelson Thornes, this resource helps students look at aspects of how science works. In particular, students are asked to plan an investigation into whether water expands when it freezes or when it thaws. The context is set by considering that in winter many people report burst water pipes when a thaw sets in following…
Born-Haber Cycles
From Nelson Thornes, these materials are aimed at A2 level students and help them to understand the energy changes involved in Born-Haber cycles. The student activity sheet follows on from the study of Born-Haber cycles and the calculation of lattice enthalpies. The activities requires students to apply this knowledge with more…
Plants as Chemical Factories
These teachers' notes from Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS) describe how students can investigate the trichomes on the surface of vascular plants, including hairs and glandular hairs, using a microscope. Students can use plants like thyme or sage to investigate these structures in the classroom. The activity can…
Competing Carbonates
Produced by Nelson Thornes, this resource helps students look at aspects of how science works. This activity challenges students to look critically at a plan to investigate the relative ease with which metal carbonates decompose. The plan involves the decomposition of carbonates to release carbon dioxide and subsequently turn…
History, People and FAQs
This resource, from the Living in a Materials World CD-ROM produced by Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), describes the achievements of some of the physicists and chemists who have contributed to our scientific understanding of the structure and behaviour of atoms. Historical developments describes the work and…
Drug Synthesis
From Nelson Thornes, these materials are aimed at A2 level students and help them to understand synthetic routes for the synthesis of some important medicines. Students are challenged to devise synthetic routes for the production of paracetamol from phenol and progesterone-like molecules for use in birth control pills. This is…
Falling Cake Cups
Produced by Nelson Thornes, this resource helps students look at aspects of how science works. Students are asked to analyse a set of given results, and draw a graph. The activity is based around two friends observing a paper cake cup fall to the floor. Iqbal and Molly decide to carry out an investigation to test their hypotheses…
Guess Zoo
Guess Zoo is fun animal guessing game, produced by ARKive, that can be used to introduce or support several lesson themes, for example species diversity, adaptations, habitats and classification. Using a set of species cards, students have to work out what the animal on a card is by asking each other questions about it's…
Redox Titration
From Nelson Thornes, these materials are aimed at A2 level students and help them to reinforce and practise their understanding of redox titration calculations. These include redox titrations involving iron, copper, manganate, sulfate and dichromate ions.
Protein Synthesis - Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes
From Nelson Thornes, these activities encourage students to examine the process of protein synthesis. They look at the differences in this process in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Students are asked to consider the detailed mechanisms and assess the benefits of the different methods. These biology resources are aimed at…
Episode 202: Forces in Equilibrium
Produced by the Institute of Physics, this learning episode contains demonstrations and practical activities through which students learn about the conditions for static equilibrium (excluding moments of forces). Students look at: • forces on a horizontal washing line with a weight in the middle • forces and vector…
Episode 306: Damped Simple Harmonic Motion
From the Institute of Physics, this learning episode will help students to see how energy moves from an oscillating system and how this results in a decrease in amplitude that follows an exponential decay pattern. The activities include: • observing water oscillating in a u-tube • the motion of a damped spring • investigating…
Episode 121: Electromotive Force and Internal Resistance
In this learning episode, from the Institute of Physics, students derive the equation relating electromotive force (emf), terminal potential difference, current and internal resistance. They then tackle questions about the internal resistance of a power supply. The activities include: • deriving the equation relating emf,…
Episode 311: Speed, Frequency and Wavelength
These activities, from the Institute of Physics, consider how speed, frequency and wavelength are linked by the wave equation v = fλ . This is achieved by measuring frequency using an oscilloscope and measuring the velocity of sound in free air. The activities include: • worked example to deduce and use the wave…
Marvellous Mini-beasts: Design a Species (Age 7-11)
In this activity, produced by ARKive, children learn about the concept of adaptation. They create and design a new species of mini-beast and learn how different species are adapted to survive in particular habitats. The activity could be undertaken in class or set as a homework activity. This creative activity is designed to teach…
Mission X: Train Like an Astronaut
Mission X is supported by the UK Space Agency, ESA and NASA. It is a free education programme developed by NASA scientists and fitness professional working with astronaut and space agencies across the world. Mission X uses the excitement of space exploration to inspire students to learn more about nutrition, exercise, science and…
5/5- Publication year: 2010 to date
- Activity sheet
Episode 122: Using an Oscilloscope
This demonstration or student practical activity, from the Institute of Physics, helps students learn to use an oscilloscope to measure voltages. It helps students to understand the use of a cathode ray oscilloscope by showing: • how the oscilloscope plots a graph of voltage (y-axis) against time (x-axis) • the effects…
Booster Lessons, Guidance and Training Materials
Key Stage Three National Strategy training materials produced in 2002 written to help subject leaders prepare their staff and students for Key Stage Three national tests in science (SATs). National Key Stage Three testing for all students aged 14 years old ended in 2009, and schools were then expected to use Teacher Assessment for…
Episode 533: The Particle Zoo
Protons, neutrons and electrons are familiar particles of matter. However, students are also likely to have heard of other particles. This learning episode, from the Institute of Physics, introduces some of the other sub-atomic particles. The activities in this episode include: • establishing students' knowledge of…
Episode 319: Preparation for Superposition of Waves Topic
This series of learning episodes, from the Institute of Physics, looks at how waves add together by superposition. It follows a 'conceptual approach' by looking at superposition itself, followed by interference fringes and then diffraction. The episodes in this topic are: Episode 320: Superposition Episode 321:…
Episode 203: Turning Effects
This learning episode from the Institute of Physics, uses discussion and experimental work to help students investigate the application of moments beyond the simple 'see-saw' model. Activities lead to an application of moments to general equilibrium situations. Students look at: • moments and turning effects…
Governments Get Hot about Global Warming
Produced by Nelson Thornes, this resource helps students look at aspects of how science works. The aim of the activity is for students to critically assess some of the evidence that might connect our increased burning of fossil fuels to rising global temperatures. Students should realise that, although we are experiencing rising…
Episode 220: Momentum and its Conservation
Produced by the Institute of Physics, this learning episode introduces the concepts of momentum and its conservation. A series of activities include: • an introduction to the conservation of momentum • investigating the conservation of momentum • application of the conservation of momentum in simple cases…
Episode 100: Preparation for Electric Current Topic
From the Institute of Physics, this topic looks at basic electrical ideas, particularly current, potential difference and energy. The topic is split into teaching episodes. These are self-contained activities of varying time periods. The topics in this section include: Episode 101: Introduction to circuits Episode 102: Current…
Episode 309: Generating Waves
From the Institute of Physics, this learning episode introduces the idea that vibrations can give rise to disturbances travelling outwards, i.e. to progressive waves. This illustrates some of the basic properties of waves. The activities include: • investigating transverse and longitudinal waves in a spring • demonstrating…
Episode 126: Capacitance and the Equation C = Q/V
This learning episode, from the Institute of Physics, helps students understand how capacitors charge and the concept of capacitance. Students investigate the relationship between charge and potential difference across a capacitor. Activities include: • charging a capacitor • defining capacitance and the farad • practical…
Carbon Fixation in C4 and CAM Plants
From Nelson Thornes, these activities help students to reinforce their understand of photosynthesis. In particular the mechanisms for carbon fixation by comparing the Calvin cycle with alternative ways of fixing carbon dioxide. Students discuss the advantages of each pathway and understand the conditions that make them beneficial. These…
Particle Physics: a Physics Kit
This resource, produced by SEPNet and Queen Mary University of London, uses Lego to represent the building blocks of matter. Different colour Lego bricks are assigned to different quarks and leptons. The quarks can be put together to make hadrons, such as protons and neutrons. The blocks can also be used to show particle interactions…
Generic Grade Descriptors and Supplementary Subject
In January 2012 Ofsted implemented a new framework for inspection to be used by inspectors in the Section 5 inspection of schools and academies. At the same time Ofsted published supplementary subject-specific guidance for inspectors on making judgements during visits to schools. The supplementary guidance aligns with the generic…
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