Students investigate the differences in properties of iron and sulphur before completing a simple practical experiment to produce their own sample of iron sulphide.

Students are introduced to some evidence related to a winged dinosaur. Using this evidence to provoke questions students are introduced to the formation of sedimentary rocks and how this type of rock can occasionally lead to the formation of fossils. Students produce their own fossils using Plaster of Paris and evaluate their model.

A full KS3 scheme of work that contains six fully resourced lessons to allow your department to complete a Science Fair project. As a school we conducted this period for a two week cycle after half term to allow students to; produce an idea, write a hypothesis, plan a method, conduct an experiment of their choice and make their project. Class winners were chosen and then allowed to present their work in the hall for the rest of the school to see. This is the third year we have completed our science fair at my school. This year we had four entries that won prizes at the big bang fair regional competition. One of which was chosen as the Young scientist of the year regional winner and will be presenting their project nationally later next year. This pack contains: Assembly PowerPoint: To present to the whole school introducing the fair. Lesson 1: Producing an idea Lesson 2: Forming a Method Lesson 3: Pilot experiment Lesson 4: Experimental time Lesson 5: Conclusion and evaluation (making project) Lesson 6: Choosing a winner Lesson plans, resources and example project winners also included. I hope, if you are willing for a bit of chaos, that you see the same enthusiasm and creativity in your students as I have. good luck!

Students are asked to think about all of the chemicals and substances inside the oceans of the Earth. After probably getting a few answers like "fish" students should move onto ideas such as salt, sand, and pollutants. Students recap the idea of filtration to remove insoluble "garbage islands" from the sea and are then introduced to the idea of evaporation to remove the salt. The use of producing fresh water from brine as well as salt is discussed. After completing a class risk assessment, students complete a practical experiment. Evaporating salt from "seawater" in an evaporating dish. Students write their conclusion and then improve using expert language.

Students have the opportunity to explore six unusual materials that will stretch and question their prior understanding in relation to solids, liquids and gases. 1) Borax slime 2) Water in a vacuum 3) Is toothpaste a solid? 4) Syphoning water 5) Is Ooblek a liquid? 6) Changing states of cream Students use the lesson to answer an extended question

Students are introduced to Robert Boyle's observations of Roses changing colour in different chemicals. Students test the idea of preparing a natural substance to test acids and alkalis by planning an experiment that prepares red cabbage as an indicator. Student complete a risk assessment and design a procedure for their experiment. Higher level students have the chance to evaluate their indicator in terms of effectiveness.

Students are introduced to a fictional scenario applied to their school where a criminal has broken into the school allotment and stolen vegetables (outrageous!). After a quick crash course into the types of evidence a forensic scientist could collect from the scene, students carry out an analysis on soil samples from a range of suspects to determine the identity of the vegetable thief. Students write a letter/report to their headmaster explaining their findings.

Students are introduced to a fictional scenario where fireman make a factory fire worse by adding water. Students produce their own theories from their own knowledge to suggest what could have caused the accident. Through teacher demonstration students are introduced to the alkali metals and complete a summary table that contrasts physical appearances and reactivity. Students write a report to the fire brigade suggesting how alkali metals in the factory could have made the fire worse.

Students are introduced to the pain reliever 'Entonox' a gas made from molecules comprised of nitrogen and oxygen. Students have ten minutes to build a moli-model and read an information sheet related to a compound of nitrogen and oxygen to see if it would be suitable for pain relief. Once students have completed three models they come to a conclusion of which gas would be most suitable: nitrogen monoxide, dinitrogen monoxide or nitrogen dioxide. Higher level students can be introduced to coefficients and subscripted numbers in relation to symbol formulae.

After a brief introduction to the Gold rush of 1849 students are introduced to the new topic of separating techniques. One solubility and insolubility are introduced students sieve for gold using a mixture of coffee granules and gold glitter. After completing the filtration experiments students draw a cartoon strip of their method and findings.

Students assist Doctor Gregory House M.D in diagnosing a patient of an unknown illness. Students use the diagnosis cards to discuss which disease or disorder the patient is suffering from. Students discover that the patient must be poisoned with arsenic, Oooo-eeer! Students learn about Simple Distillation equipment through a poster relay task. After the teacher discusses the explanation of removing soluble solutes the students complete a worksheet demonstrating their understanding.

After a devastating (fictional) acid spill students are introduced to the clean-up crew. Students use their knowledge of acids and alkalis to explain what method of clean-up would be most appropriate and investigate why a white solid seems to appear after the clean-up. Students use a simple experiment to prove the products of an acid-base reaction.

Well the answer is no... Students watch a small clip from the 2008 movie Journey to the Centre of the Earth. Students discuss what parts of the clip they believe to be true and false. Students are introduced to the structure of the Earth as we know it to be today and are asked to write a creative story describing a scientifically correct journey to the centre of the Earth using the level ladder.

If you were wondering they are: Solute, solvent, solution, saturation and Solubility... Students start the lesson by thinking of as many scientific questions they ask about the picture that is on the board (a cup of tea). Students should be prompted to think of as many aspects of science they can apply to this quite simple picture... teacher could write answers on the board and praise legitimate ideas. Use the starter to discuss the idea of the five S's. Student complete a table during a treasure hunt that includes definitions and examples. Students discuss answers and watch video clip to reinforce their understanding. The teacher demonstrates saturation and conservation of mass by adding a spatula of sugar into a beaker of warm water on a weighing scales. Students complete the worksheet in any order they like to demonstrate their ability.

Student creatively theorise possible reasons to explain the Sphinix's damaged nose. After which students are introduced to weathering and erosion. Using this knowledge, as well as content from the rock types lessons, students can model James Hutton's rock cycle using a simple class practical experiment. Students observe, crush, heat and melt sugar cubes to represent different parts of the rock cycle.

Students use their knowledge from the unit to compare a range of pH indicators in terms of effectiveness in identifying a range of pH in everyday household products. Students compare red cabbage indicator (prepared in a previous lesson), litmus paper, universal indicator solution and pH probes to decide which one is the most accurate and easy to use. Students have an opportunity to write an evaluation that can be levelled as part of an assessment.

Students are introduced to the difference between atoms and compounds through a comparison of a range of substances that include high levels of potassium. Student use this comparison to develop a definition for compounds. Students use their new knowledge to complete four mini- practical investigations to consolidate their learning.

Students are reminded of the features of igneous rock from last lesson. Students develop theories to explain why some igneous rock have larger crystals then other samples. Students test this theory with a simple experiment using Salol as a model for igneous rock cooling. Students complete a GCSE style mark question related to the formation of igneous rocks.

Can your students become element inspectors? After recapping the definition of an element from last lesson and independently completing the "spot the link" starter activity, students are introduced to the uniqueness and quirkiness of some of the elements from the periodic table. Students become elements inspectors by reading through the information packs in groups of four to become experts in one element: Nitrogen, chlorine, copper, arsenic, mercury and carbon. Students use their new found expertise to complete a row in a table. Students are reorganised into new groups containing an expert for each element. Students share their information to allow each students to complete their table. Students are introduced to proton number and atomic mass before completing a differentiated graph regarding the trends across a group. Students can evaluate or complete for homework.

Three lessons are included which run through: Lesson 1 water testing: A reminder of Flame tests, and the introduction of cation precipitate tests. -Students complete a six mark question and summary table to remind themselves of C2 ion tests. -Students complete simple qualitative sodium hydroxide precipitate test with a number of metal cations in solution. Lesson 2 Qalitative test revision book: A reminder of anions. -Teacher could demo experiments from lesson 3 or explain using the PowerPoint slide -Students complete a booklet to summarise all tests learnt. Lesson 3: Students complete a circus of all experiments -test for halogens -test for sulfates -test for carbonate -flame test for cations -precipitate test for cations -Using these tests students solve a fictional (a ridiculous) murder.