Understanding How Science Works
Produced by Nelson Thornes, these materials are designed to support AQA GCSE science specifications. However, they can readily be used with other specifications to support students in their understanding of How Science Works.
Topics covered look at:
• Data analysis and the Big Bang
• Examining the claims made for a cholesterol-reducing food spread
• Experimental design and the decomposition of carbonates
• Testing the effectiveness of disinfectants
• Investigating the expansion of water on freezing
• Examining evidence about global warming
• Looking at data on selection in Peppered moths
HEALTH and SAFETY
Any use of a resource that includes a practical activity must include a risk assessment. Please note that collections may contain ARCHIVE resources, which were developed at a much earlier date. Since that time there have been significant changes in the rules and guidance affecting laboratory practical work. Further information is provided in our Health and Safety guidance.
Before the Big Bang
Produced by Nelson Thornes, this resource helps students look at aspects of how science works. In this activity students are given some information about the Large Hadron Collider and the Big Bang Theory. They are asked to analyse and interpret the secondary data and differentiate between theory and fact. Students should have…
Can We Believe the Claims?
Produced by Nelson Thornes, this resource helps students look at aspects of how science works. In particular, students are presented with data from a scientist who is working for a company making a food spread. The company claims that the spread reduces blood cholesterol. Students are asked questions regarding the repeatability,…
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…
Disinfectant Concentration and Effectiveness
Produced by Nelson Thornes, this resource helps students look at aspects of how science works. In this activity students are given the results of an experiment to investigate the effectiveness of different concentrations of disinfectant and their effectiveness at killing bacteria. Students are asked to suggest a prediction, draw…
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…
Don’t Have the Foggiest Which Is the Smoggiest!
Produced by Nelson Thornes, this resource helps students look at aspects of how science works. It looks at the different forms of smog that affect major cities because of their high density of population and air pollution from industry and motor vehicles. The activity is designed to let the students review the causes of different…
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…
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…
How the Peppered Moth Changed Colour
Produced by Nelson Thornes, this resource helps students look at aspects of how science works. In this activity students are presented with raw data from a natural selection simulation and need to record it in a suitable format, draw an appropriate graph and make a conclusion linked to their understanding of the concepts of natural…
Collection author
Resource by: Nelson Thornes
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