Spark Science provides high quality science educational resources for secondary school teachers.
From dual-coding, literacy and reading tasks, dyslexic friendly backgrounds, and continual Assessment for Learning (AfL) tasks embedded into all our lessons, Spark lessons will increase engagement, participation and understanding for your students.
Spark Science provides high quality science educational resources for secondary school teachers.
From dual-coding, literacy and reading tasks, dyslexic friendly backgrounds, and continual Assessment for Learning (AfL) tasks embedded into all our lessons, Spark lessons will increase engagement, participation and understanding for your students.
A full lesson designed for GCSE chemistry AQA specification.
This lesson covers the case study of the extraction of aluminium oxide, the role of cryolite, what happens to the aluminium and oxide ions at the electrodes, and the need for the replacement of the positive electrode.
This lesson contains
A lesson powerpoint including all useful youtube video links, interactive plenary multiple choice quiz, electroplating challenge task and complete answers.
A guided reading activity with quesitons and complete answer sheet (PDF and editable versions)
An alternative information hunt sheet to be used with videos and/or the AQA GCSE Chemistry textbook, with complete answers (PDF and editable versions)
Video clip to aid in completion of both sheets
Lesson Objectives
State two reasons why extracting aluminium oxide from its ore is expensive
Describe why cryolite is added to aluminium oxide during electrolysis
Describe and explain what happens to ions at the positive and negative electrode (and give relevant half equations (Higher only))
Explain why the positive electrode must continually be replaced
This lesson is a KS3 biology lesson covering the definition of organ systems, examples of organ systems and their functions.
This lesson contains 3 different versions of the main activity for you to use depending on your class disposition and access to computers.
This lesson contains:
Powerpoint (containing relevant video links and answers)
Student worksheet (PDF and Editable)
Student worksheet answers (PDF and Editable)
Student Card Sort (Large around the room version and pairs version)
Lesson Objectives:
Define the term “organ system”
Identify some of the key organ systems in the human body and what they do
Describe the hierarchy of organisation in a multicellular organism
This is a KS3 Biology lesson covering the defintions of tissues and organs, examples of both in humans and plants, and the functions of some of the key organs.
This lesson may require students to have access to the internet.
This resource contains:
Teacher powerpoint including teacher guidance and answers
Student worksheet (PDF and Editable versions)
Student worksheet answers (PDF and Editable versions)
Lesson Objectives:
Define the terms “tissue” and “organ”
Identify some of the key organs in the human body
Identify some of the key organs in plants
Describe what some key organs do
This is a KS3 Biology lesson covering the physical changes that happen in our bodies when we breathe (limited to diaphragm, rib cage and lung volume) as well as using the bell jar demonstration of the effect of pressure on lung volume. This lesson also contains a practical to measure lung volume and manipulate the data of that practical.
This lesson contains:
Teacher powerpoint - including teacher guidance and answers
Student printable table (PDF and Word)
Lesson Objectives:
Describe the physical changes that occur when a person inhales and exhales
Describe a method used to estimate lung volume
WS: Measure lung volume
Correlate and analyse data from a practical experiment to draw conclusions
This is a KS3 Biology lesson covering the human skeleton, including teaching students some of the names/positions of key bones in the body as well as the structure and function of bones. There are several versions of the student led activity that can be tailored to teacher/class needs.
This lesson may require students to have access to the internet.
This resource contains:
Teacher powerpoint including teacher guidance and answers
Student worksheets (PDF and Editable versions)
Student worksheet answers (PDF and Editable versions)
Lesson Objectives:
Label some of the main bones in the skeleton
Describe the structure of a bone
Describe the functions of the skeletal system
This is a KS3 Biology lesson covering the structure and types of joints in the body and includes the chicken leg dissection along with pre-made risk assessment and alternative written task for students who opt-out (all with answer sheets!).
This resource contains:
Teacher powerpoint
Student worksheet and answer sheet (PDF and editable word)
Alternative work (for students who do not want to do the dissection) and answer sheet (PDF and editable word)
Lesson Objectives:
Name and give examples of the types of joint found in the human body
Describe the role of joints in movement
Label the structure of a joint
Carry out the dissection of a joint
This is a KS3 Biology lesson covering the function of muscles, the names of some major muscles in the human body, antagonistic muscles pairs and a practical to measure muscle fatigue. This lesson also comes with two alternative student led practical investigations.
This resource contains:
Teacher powerpoint (with teacher delivery notes, interactive plenary, challenge tasks throughout and careers links)
Student worksheet (For practical Option 1) (PDF and editable word)
Lesson Objectives:
Describe what a muscle is and give some examples
Describe how muscles cause movement in the body
Describe how antagonistic muscles control movement at a joint
Investigate the strength of muscles
This lesson is a KS3 biology lesson covering the structure of the lungs, the basic process of gas exchange in the lungs, and the differences in composition between inhaled and exhaled air.
This lesson contains:
Risk assessment for lung dissection demonstration
Risk assessment for student practical
Student worksheet (PDF and Word)
Student worksheet answers (PDF and Word)
Lesson powerpoint - including gas exchange animation!
Lesson Objectives:
Name the key parts of the lungs
Define the process of gas exchange
Describe how parts of the gas exchange system are adapted to their function
Compare inhaled and exhaled air
WS: Read data from pie charts and draw conclusions
This bundle contains the lessons, powerpoints and all relevant resources for teaching the Separate Science GCSE Chemistry AQA content on electrochemical cells and fuel cells.
This bundle contains 3-4 lessons of content including:
Lesson 1: What are Electrochemical Cells?
Lesson Objectives:
Describe what an electrochemical cell is and what we use it for
Describe how to make an electrochemical cell
Identify factors which affect the size of the voltage produced by an electrochemical cell
This lesson contains:
Lesson powerpoint
Student practical investigation
Teacher notes on how to deliver lesson slides/content and answers
Lesson 2: How do Electrochemical Cells Work?
Lesson Objectives:
Recall the definitions for oxidation and reduction
Identify which elements are oxidised and reduced in an electrochemical cell
(H) – write half equations for oxidation and reduction taking place in electrochemical cells
Explain why alkaline/non-rechargeable batteries eventually stop working
This lesson contains:
Lesson powerpoint, containing animation about how electrochemical cells produce electrical current and the reactions that take place within it
Student exam questions (23 marks worth) from AQA syllabus with mark scheme
Teacher notes on how to deliver lesson slides/content and answers
Lesson 3/4: What are Fuel Cells?
Lesson Objectives:
Describe, in basic terms, how a hydrogen fuel works
(Higher only) write balanced half equations for the reactions taking place inside a hydrogen fuel cell
Describe advantages and disadvantages of hydrogen fuel cells
Evaluate the use of hydrogen fuel vehicles compared to electric and petrol vehicles
Lesson resources include:
Lesson powerpoint with printable diagrams for students
Explanations of half equations from fuel cell (both acid cell (not AQA) and alkaline cell (AQA) version) and balancing them
Relevant video links
6 marker question and mark scheme
Exam question pack on fuel cells and energy
Plenary AFL multiple choice quiz and debate activity
A comprehensive, engaging, challenging and interactive lesson package designed with non-science/non-physics specialist teachers in mind! This lesson covers what balanced and unbalanced forces are, how to calculate resultant forces in one dimension, and the effects balanced and unbalanced forces have on the motion of an object.
This resource contains:
Lesson powerpoint - including teacher notes, interactive AFL tasks, student written task, and full answers to all activities.
Lesson resources contain:
In-built challenge tasks throughout
In-built scaffolded learning for lower abilities
Various activites to assess progress and understanding that you can tailor to fit any class or available resources
Objectives:
Students will be able to…
Describe the difference between balanced and unbalanced forces
Explain why objects are in equilibrium
Explain the changing motion of objects
Calculating resultant forces in one dimension
A comprehensive, engaging, challenging and interactive lesson package designed with non-science/non-physics specialist teachers in mind!
This lesson covers drag and friction, the different places we get both and where they are useful and not useful, as well as a simple student practical to measure the effects of different surfaces on friction.
This lesson contains:
Lesson powerpoint - including teacher notes, full answers, interactive activities, student practical with follow-up questions, and plenary
Lesson resources contain:
In-built challenge tasks throughout
In-built scaffolded learning for lower abilities and EAL (including dual-coding)
Practical investigation of the effects of different surfaces on friction
Careers links
Objectives:
Students will be able to…
Describe the effect of drag forces and friction
Explain how drag forces and friction arise
Describe how drag forces and friction can be reduced
Students will be working scientifically to:
Measure force using a newton meter
Record data in an appropriate table
use my observations to make a conclusion
A comprehensive, engaging, challenging and interactive lesson package designed with non-science/non-physics specialist teachers in mind!
This lesson teaches students about the reaction force, how forces stretch or squash an object, and Hooke’s Law in relation to springs.
This resource contains:
Lesson powerpoint - including full answers and teacher notes; practical instructions, equipment list, and safety instructions, follow up questions
Student practical worksheet (PDF and editable version)
Student graph axis (PDF and editable version) - if you don’t want to print a whole worksheet
Objectives:
Students will be able to…
Describe how forces deform objects
Describe how solid surfaces provide a support force
Investigate and use Hooke’s Law
Students will work scientifically to:
Take accurate measurements
Plot a graph
Draw a line of best fit on a graph
A comprehensive, engaging, challenging and interactive lesson package designed with non-science/non-physics specialist teachers in mind!
This lesson teaches students the difference between weight and mass, and how to calculate weight using the “LESS” method.
This resource contains:
Lesson powerpoint - including, full answers, mini-whiteboard AFL, practice activities, full “I do, we do, you do” guided slides for calculations
Student practice worksheet (PDF and editable version)
Teacher answer sheet (PDF and editable version)
Lesson resources contain:
In-built challenge tasks throughout
In-built scaffolded learning for lower abilities
Various activites to assess progress and understanding that you can tailor to fit any class or available resources
Objectives:
Students will be able to…
Describe the difference between weight and mass
Calculate the weight of an object
Explain why weight is different on different planets
Students will work scientifically to:
Convert units
Calculate values using a calculator
Resources and slides ask students the key questions and develops ideas and concepts from the ground up and address common issues, mistakes and misconceptions.
This lesson contains AFL tasks which require mini-whiteboards, but can be adapted if these are not available.
A short, engaging lesson (ideal to complete before a mid-topic summary) designed with non-science/non-physics specialist teachers in mind!
This lesson teaches students about what a field is and how forces are felt within fields for different non-contact forces (especially gravitational fields and magnetic fields).
This resource contains:
Lesson powerpoint - including full answers, mini-practical with instructions for students
Lesson resources contain:
In-built challenge tasks throughout
A mini “discovery” style practical
Objectives:
Students will be able to…
Describe what a “field” is
Describe the effects of fields
Resources and slides ask students the key questions and develops ideas and concepts from the ground up and address common issues, mistakes and misconceptions.
This bundle is a complete topic pack containing all powerpoints, student worksheets, challenge tasks, plenary activities, and answer sheets for the KS3 Physics topic “Forces”. It also contains many specially selected student-led activities on the powerpoints (particularly designed to make teaching the concepts of forces, fields, resultant forces, and weight, easier, more fun and student-led).
There are also self-completing slides where answers can be clicked and move into the correct place (great for distance learning students and cover lessons).
This bundle contains the following lessons:
Forces
Drawing Force Diagrams
Hooke’s Law
Drag and Friction
Fields
Calculating Weight
Balanced and Unbalanced Forces
Lesson objectives/outcomes:
Lesson 1 – Forces
Students should be able to:
• Explain what forces are
• Compare different types of forces
• Describe how to measure forces and give the unit of force
Lesson 2 – Drawing Force Diagrams
Students should be able to:
• Describe how forces are represented
• Identify the direction a force acts on an object
• Draw and/or label force arrows on diagrams for simple example
Lesson 3 – Hooke’s Law
Students should be able to:
• Describe how forces deform objects
• Describe how solid surfaces provide a support force
• Investigate and use Hooke’s Law
• Take accurate measurements
• Plot a graph
• Draw a line of best fit on a graph
Lesson 4 – Drag and Friction
Students should be able to:
• Describe the effect of drag forces and friction
• Explain how drag forces and friction arise
• Describe how drag forces and friction can be reduced
• Measure force using a newton meter
• Record data in an appropriate table
• use my observations to make a conclusion
Lesson 5 – Fields
Students should be able to:
• Describe what a “field” is
• Describe the effects of fields
Lesson 6 – Calculating Weight
Students should be able to:
• Describe the difference between weight and mass
• Calculate the weight of an object
• Explain why weight is different on different planets
• Convert units
• Calculate values using a calculator
Lesson 7 – Balanced and Unbalanced Forces
Students should be able to:
• Describe the difference between balanced and unbalanced forces
• Explain why objects are in equilibrium
• Explain the changing motion of objects
• Calculate resultant forces in one dimension
This is a KS3 physics lesson covering what forces are, common forces and identifying them in simple examples, contact vs non-contact forces, and how to measure forces.
This resource contains:
Teacher powerpoint (with teacher delivery notes, practical investigation, mini-whiteboard afl quizzes, and challenge tasks throughout)
Matching forces and descriptions worksheet (PDF and editable versions)
**Lesson objectives: **
Explain what forces are
Compare different types of forces
Describe how to measure forces and give the unit of force
This is a KS3 physics lesson covering how do draw and label basic force diagrams.
NOTE: this lesson doesn’t discuss size of force arrows, but focuses on drawing force arrows touching objects in the correct places and going in the correct direction.
This resource contains:
Teacher powerpoint (with teacher delivery notes, “I do, we do, you do” structured delivery task, plenary AFL quiz, and full work through answers animated into each slide)
Student worksheet (PDF and editable versions)
Student worksheet answers (PDF and editable versions)
Lesson objectives:
Describe how forces are represented
Identify the direction a force acts on an object
Draw and/or label force arrows on diagrams for simple example
This lesson is the first lesson in the Year 8 “Working as a Scientist” topic.
It covers what accurate and precise data means/looks like, as well as the difference between a prediction and a hypothesis.
This lesson is designed with formative assessment in mind and a large use of hand/finger voting and mini-whiteboards for AFL feedback.
It contains all answers to the tasks and is great for a non-specialist science teacher.
Lesson Objectives:
Write a hypothesis from variables
Describe the difference between accurate and precise
I will work scientifically to:
Identify variables in a practical
Identify data that is accurate and precise
This lesson contains:
Powerpoint - including quizzes to test understanding, student questions to answer, challenge tasks throughout, and full answers. The powerpoint also uses colour-coding to help support AEN and EAL students follow and understand concepts in the lesson.
This lesson is the second lesson in the Year 8 “Working as a Scientist” topic.
This lesson covers what a hazard, risk and control measure are, what some common hazards are in a lab and how to control them, as well as a practical investigation for students to write their own risk assessment.
Lesson Objectives:
State common risks from hazards
Describe how these risks are managed
Write a risk assessment for a scientific investigation
I will work scientifically to:
Carry out a practical investigation safely
Lesson resources contain:
Powerpoint - containing information slides, student mini-whiteboard AFL quiz, complete and interactive answer slides, plenary activity
Student practical worksheet (PDF and editable word versions)
This lesson is the first lesson in the “Space” topic and covers some of the main objects that can be found in the night sky as well as describing our place in the universe. The lesson contains various links to online videos, modelling software and simulations that really help students understand the vastness of space and allow them to explore the universe in which we live.
This Lesson Contains:
Lesson powerpoint, including activity delivery instructions for teachers, full answers, plenary task, AFL whiteboard task and discussion activities
Lesson Objectives:
Describe the objects that you can see in the night sky
Describe the structure of the universe
