Beyond fair testing: teaching different types of scientific enquiry
This resource aims to broaden the range of scientific enquiries at KS3/4 and to provide strategies for explicitly teaching the procedural understanding required. It includes examples of different enquiry types, e.g. classifying and identifying, developing systems, and pattern seeking.
KS3/4
Small
beginnings: introducing digital microscopes
in physical science
Small
beginnings looks at how digital microscopy can be used in the lower secondary school and provides some basic background information, along with practical ideas for the classroom using the QX3 digital microscope.
KS3
Investigations
using the iButton temperature datalogger
The iButton is a portable temperature datalogger. The booklet includes ideas for classroom activities and a KS4 investigation into home heating, along with suggestions for using the iButton in KS3 and post-16 activities.
KS3/4, 16+
Teaching
ideas and evidence in science at Key
Stage 3
This resource was developed by five universities involved in initial teacher education, and focuses on ways of teaching students to use and evaluate evidence. Originally distributed as a CD-ROM, it is now available online.
KS3
Contemporary science issues:
lessons for Key Stage 4
This CD-ROM includes a set of 18 lessons for KS4 biology, chemistry and physics, and includes lesson plans, technical advice, worksheets and assessment materials. It considers data, evidence, theories and applications in the context of contemporary science issues.
KS4
Modelling climate change
To understand the climate and why it changes, climate scientists create computer models that they use to do ‘experiments’. This booklet provides an introduction to the way in which the climate can be modelled and the science behind the models. The activities include practical experiments, simple examples of climate modelling, and analysis of observed data.
KS4, Post-16
ICT in practical science: new approaches to data collection and analysis
The booklet is essentially about collecting and interpreting first-hand data from experiments using sensors and data logging equipment. The activities make use of readily available (often free) software, including recording and analysing students' speech patterns and video analysis of moving objects. SEP supported the Centre for Science Education at Sheffield Hallam University in the production of this publication.
KS3/4, Post-16
Enriching school science for the gifted learner
This publication is designed to offer advice and support to those responsible for addressing the needs of the most able students in science. The guidebook is accompanied by a CD-ROM with specially designed activities for gifted and talented students at KS4.
KS4
Matter and change
Stuff
and substance
This multimedia package is a rich source of videos and animations, and develops the fundamental concept of ‘substance’ to account for a range of phenomena. It tackles the difficulties that many students have in understanding events involving changes of state, mixing and chemical change.
KS3
Particles
in motion CD-ROM
This CD-ROM contains video clips and animations to support the teaching of chemistry at KS3. Topics covered include states of matter, melting and boiling, freezing and condensation, kinetic theory of gases, distillation and chromatography. It was produced in partnership with the Royal Society of Chemistry.
KS3
Chemistry
jigsaws
Chemical jigsaws offer a new and highly effective method of teaching chemical formulae and equations. In addition to the jigsaws themselves, there is a CD-ROM that includes animations, Word documents and PowerPoint presentations. These resources were produced in partnership with the Royal Society of Chemistry.
KS3/4
Go
with the flow: investigating bouncy
fluids and other strange materials
The booklet introduces a range of interesting materials with novel flow properties, such as slime and smart putty, and provides suggestions for how they can be used in school science practical work. The booklet is also complemented by the Go with the flow CD-ROM.
KS3/4
Go with the flow CD-ROM
This CD-ROM is a collection of videos, animations and worksheets to help students understand the properties of a range of fluids, semi-solids and solids. The practical activities include investigations of viscosity, floating and sinking, and making your own 'bouncing putty'.
KS3/4/16+
Materials by design
Metals and smart alloys
This booklet contains practical activities to support the teaching of metals and alloys at KS4. Divided into two sections, the first covers 'conventional' alloys, in particular iron and steel, while the second looks at the new generation of 'smart alloys' or 'shape memory alloys'.
KS4
Fantastic plastic
Polymers look set to be the material of the future. Fantastic plastic provides an overview of polymer science, together with ideas to demonstrate some of their more unusual properties and the vast range of uses to which they can be put.
KS3/4
Fibres and fabrics
Fabrics are materials made from weaving, knitting, crocheting or felting fibres together. Fibres and Fabrics encourages students to test and research the properties of different fibres, threads, fabrics and dyes with a clear link to the new How Science Works curriculum, with suggestions for how the ideas could be introduced in the classroom.
KS3/4
Building
materials
This booklet explores the properties of different building materials and approaches, providing an accessible overview of real issues in building. It links these to basic ideas about energy transfer, forces in structures and properties of materials, and includes some ideas and suggestions for classroom activities.
KS3/4
Composites: designing materials for the future
Composites materials are used to provide strength and rigidity while using thinner, lighter components, and to provide specific combinations of properties and functions. Composites: designing materials for the future gives an overview of some of the types, properties and uses of composite materials, with suggestions for how the ideas could be introduced in the classroom.
KS3/4
Biofuels
The Biofuels booklet considers the contribution that renewable fuels can make to the demand for new kinds of energy resources. There are student activities and teacher demonstrations that look at how different biofuels are made, and how their properties can be tested and compared to conventional fuels.
KS4
Recycling and sustainability
The Recycling and sustainability booklet provides an overview of different approaches to waste management, with particular focus on the different processes used in the recovery of materials from waste and on the end use of recycled materials . The activities provide a practical introduction to different methods of sorting materials.
KS4
Energy
and power
Hot and cold: exploring temperature changes using thermocolour film
Thermocolour film is a fascinating material that changes colour depending on the temperature. This booklet discusses how thermocolour film can be used in a wide range of activities that involve students applying concepts of temperature and energy flow.
KS3/4
Energy
now CD-ROM
This CD-ROM was developed to help teachers to present consistent and coherent ways of teaching about energy. It has 12 ‘screen-based booklets’ that address different aspects of energy, and include interactive animations with ideas for accompanying practical work.
KS3/4
Making energy real: using the SEP Energymeter
This booklet accompanies the SEP Energymeter, which was developed to enable students to get direct experience of measuring energy and power in low-voltage circuits. It includes examples of activities along with many suggestions of how the energymeter can be used in the curriculum.
KS3/4, 16+
Energy
storage
This booklet looks at the different ways that energy can be stored, both in real-world applications and through hands-on practical activities. The activities can be used qualitatively to develop simple ways of talking about energy, and extended to quantitative work.
KS3/4
Wind
power
Wind
Power includes a range of practical activities investigating the science of wind power. The activities are aimed mainly at KS4, but can easily be adapted for KS3. To support the practical work SEP developed a low-cost model wind turbine and a 'mini-turbine', both of which are available to purchase from MUTR.
KS3/4
Solar power: electricity from the Sun
This booklet explores how solar power could be used to provide electricity for the home. There are practical activities using solar cell kits, and spreadsheet activities on the cost-effectiveness of solar power. The activities are aimed at KS4, but could be adapted for use at KS3.
KS3/4
Electricity
and magnetism
QTC: a remarkable new material to control electricity
QTC, a material discovered only recently, has an enormous range of potential applications in industry and consumer products. This booklet provides practical activities and ideas for using QTC in the classroom – it is simple and safe enough to use at KS3, but its behaviour provides much to explore for older students too.
KS3/4
Supermagnets:
exploring the properties and uses
of rare earth magnets
Students are fascinated by the latest generation of magnets, which are extraordinarily strong. The Supermagnets booklet includes ideas for classroom use and student activities and is
supported by new practical resources developed by SEP to allow safe handling of these supermagnets.
KS3/4
Motors and electromagnetism
This publication, aimed particularly at non-specialists, provides support for teachers of 11-16 science covering motors and related aspects of electromagnetism. It includes straightforward practical activities using SEP equipment, plus background knowledge and ideas for other activities.
KS3/4
Sensors
CD-ROM
This CD-ROM provides resources to support and extend the teaching about sensors at GCSE and post-16. The notes and activities are designed to provide an introduction to the science behind sensors and to give examples of real applications.
KS4, 16+
Waves
and radiation
Radiation
and communication
Radiation
and communication provides a range of practical activities showing how electromagnetic radiation is used by a variety of devices, such as mobile phones and remote controls, to transmit and receive messages It covers the spectrum from visible light and infrared radiation, to microwave radiation and radio waves.
KS4
Seeing
beyond the visible
Seeing
beyond the visible looks at silicon-based sensors and imaging software and how they can be used to obtain and manipulate infrared and visible images. The booklet provides an accessible overview of the theory behind imaging, and includes some ideas and suggestions for classroom activities.
KS4
Light and matter: models and applications
The Light and Matter booklet provides an overview of the different models we use in talking about phenomena such as reflection, diffraction patterns, polarisation and emission spectra, and also considers some applications, such as the use of lidar in aerial surveys. The activities provide a practical introduction to the use of electromagnetic radiation in studying objects and materials. They include measuring the Doppler effect, using a simple spectroscope, examining diffraction patterns, and a simple model of a landscape survey.
KS4
Radiation
in the environment
The pack comprises a set of activities for GCSE and post-16 students, focusing on the scientific understanding of the effects of radioactivity and microwave radiation, and on interpreting people’s attitudes and media reporting. The practical activities are based on the SEP Geiger counter and the SEP microwave indicator.
KS4, 16+
Seismology
The waves generated by earthquakes can provide us with a unique look into the Earth's interior. This booklet provides an overview of earthquakes, how we study them and what seismology can tell us, and includes some ideas and suggestions for classroom activities using simple low-cost equipment.
KS4
Professional development
Beginning science teachers' handbook
This CD-ROM provides training activities, plus advice and references to support newly qualified secondary science teachers. It can be used during the induction period and into the early years of teaching. This resource was developed in partnership with the ASE.
Teacher training and development
Physical
science subject knowledge and pedagogy
This online resource aims to provide support for developing teachers' knowledge and pedagogic skills in the physical sciences. It was developed through the PhySEP Project at the University of Birmingham, with ITT mentors and ASTs acting as coaches to teacher colleagues.
Teacher training and development
Catalyst magazine
Catalyst
magazine
This topical magazine contains articles linking current developments in all areas of science to the science curriculum. As well as outlining scientific ideas, the articles explain how scientists work and give a lively picture of the varied life-styles of scientists today. Catalyst is aimed mainly at 14-16 year olds, though can be used with both younger and older students.
