This resource, aimed at upper primary, links to the topics of forces and earth and space. Children design and make foam rockets. They then carry out investigations using the rockets, such as how the angle of launch affects the distance travelled.

The resource contains notes on running the activity,...

In this resource designed by the IET, students design and make a pewter cast medal for the men's football World Cup. The resource introduces the concept of CAD design, pewter casting and how this can be used to create something for a major event. Metal casting is a manufacturing process that involves pouring molten...

This resource, from the University of Nottingham, describes a number of investigations which could be carried out in heathland habitats. Heathlands are excellent habitats to use for designing and carrying out experiments. Plants are often relatively easy to identify when compared with other habitats and...

Design and make a seed from a newly discovered plant using junk materials.This activity provides an opportunity for creative thinking around the topic of germination and seed dispersal. It also supports the development of literacy and presentation skills. Further ideas...

This Unilever Laboratory Experiment, published in 1973, describes two methods for determining the vitamin C in foods. The leaflet describes the estimation of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) in foodstuffs, after extraction with metaphosphoric acid, by titration with a standardized dye, 2,6 dichlorophenolindophenol,...

This Unilever Laboratory Experiment, published in 1970, describes the procedure for a titration with EDTA and Eriochrome Black T to determine the total hardness of water. The details cover the preparation of a standard solution of EDTA as well as the steps of the titration.

As the number of cells in a microbial culture increases, turbidity increases. In this experiment students calculate doubling time and growth rate constant using absorbance as the measure of growth. Turbidity is caused by suspended cells in the growth medium scattering light, and may be measured using a colorimeter...

This experiment is a continuation of Determining Doubling Time. Students create a standard curve of absorbance against yeast concentration, and use this to determine the concentration of yeast produced over time.

The standard curve (dry mass, grams per litre) is generated from known concentrations of dried...

In these short videos, Michael de Podesta explains how a laser can be used to show the diffraction and interference of light. Using a laser pen in the classroom, the wave nature of light is demonstrated as a thin wire is used to generate an easily-seen interference pattern.

Two versions of the video are...

This mystery deals with a laboratory report in which the written results suddenly vanished. The students need to find out how the writing vanished,  how to recover the vanished data, and what the secret of the pen is.

Curriculum links include ...

The Open Air Laboratories (OPAL) network is an initiative which aims to create and inspire a new generation of nature-lovers by encouraging people to explore, study, enjoy and protect their local environment. OPAL began in 2007 with a total of 15 partners, headed by Imperial College London, working together to...

This resource is designed to meet the specifications for the A-level practical endorsement in England (CPAC). However, it will make a valuable guide to dissection and scientific drawing of a flower for those following a variety of different specifications.

The ability to accurately observe, dissect and...

This is a modelling activity where students use sampling techniques to determine the distribution and abundance of organisms in a simulated habitat. Students will simulate the mark–release–recapture technique (Lincoln Index) for estimating population sizes of mobile species. 

Curriculum links include: ...

This series of Marvin and Milo cards include eight simple experiments that can be performed at home that link in to the theme of light, using: - A torch and a bottle to show total internal reflection - A glass of water to make a lens - Milk and water to show the scattering of light - Making a light bulb light up...

This resource provides a set of videos and a practical investigation aimed at supporting working scientifically in the classroom and relating science to real world experiences. In the first video Professor Brian Cox joins a teacher to find out how to set up and run an investigation to find out if plants need soil...