Microbes around school. As part of a CREST Award some of my students swabbed different surfaces around the school, grew the microbes on agar and recorded their results. This presentation can be used as a starter or plenary activity. I usually print off pictures of the eight different surfaces and get students to work in pairs or small groups to try and order them in terms of number of microbes. We then discuss the results and relate them to the standard of cleaning around the school.

A worksheet to support students completing the classic experiment where they measure (albeit very roughly!) the amount of energy stored in different foods. The sheet gives full instructions for the practical as well as some concluding questions to confirm their level of knowledge and understanding.

Forces topic combined word search and cloze activity, ideal for use as a lesson starter or plenary for lower ability students.

Animal reproduction literacy task and crosswords. Students are presented with several pieces of text, which they need to analyse and rearrange into the most appropriate order. They could then interrogate the text to pick out key scientific vocabulary, nouns, verbs etc. They could then use the information in the text to help complete the crosswords, either working alone or with a partner.

Bundle of Hassle-Free Chemistry Investigations - contains presentations for five simple chemistry investigations that work first time and require very little preparation. The investigations are: Investigating how temperature affects the rate sugar cubes dissolve; Investigating how speed of stirring affects the rate sugar cubes dissolve; Investigating how temperature affects the rate of lateral diffusion; Investigating how temperature affects the rate of a chemical reaction (sodium thiosulfate and hydrochloric acid redox); Investigating how concentration affects the rate of a chemical reaction (sodium thiosulfate and hydrochloric acid redox). Each presentation contains instructions, diagrams, outline results table, outline graph.

This activity includes fact cards explaining how six different methods of contraception work. It gives some of the advantages and disadvantages of each method. I usually display these around the classroom and get the students to rotate between them, memorising them as they go. They then transfer their new knowledge into the outline table provided. Some questions are also posed to gauge their level of understanding of when each type of contraceptive might be appropriate.

Writing molecular formulae. A presentation that guides students through the process of writing the molecular formula for a compound from its molecular (ball and stick) diagram. For an activity I usually print out the 10 different ball and stick diagrams included in the presentation and stick them around the classroom. I then get students to rotate around them identifying and counting their atoms against the stopwatch.

Preparing salt. Presentation to guide students through the practical preparation of salt from hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide.

Elements, compounds and mixtures literacy task. Students are presented with several pieces of text, which they need to analyse and rearrange into the most appropriate order. They could then interrogate the text to pick out key scientific vocabulary, nouns, verbs etc.

Elements and compounds crossword, ideal for end of topic revision, as a knowledge retrieval exercise or as a homework activity.

Students rearrange the cards to make the word equations of four different chemical reactions. They then add the correct description card with each element or compound.

Salt solubility data and graphs. The zipped file contains a spreadsheet and presentation containing solubility data and graphs for several different ionic salts (sodium acetate, sodium bromate, sodium formate, sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate) and sucrose. Can be used alongside some questions as a quick starter or plenary activity to practice students’ data interpretation skills.

Human reproduction crossword, ideal for end of topic revision, as a knowledge retrieval exercise or as a homework activity.

Using chemicals safely card sort and gap filler. Three starter or plenary activities in one. Students sort the cards into the correct groups of chemical name, hazard symbol and examples. Best done working in pairs. Students are given a chemical safety grid with some gaps, which they need to fill. Could be printed out or done on the board with the whole class. Students are given a risk assessment template to complete, based on their knowledge of chemicals they have used previously.

Light literacy task. Students are presented with several pieces of text, which they need to analyse and rearrange into the most appropriate order. They could then interrogate the text to pick out key scientific vocabulary, nouns, verbs etc.

Viscosity Guided Investigation - presentation that guides students through the process of planning and carrying out an investigation into how temperature affects the viscosity of washing up liquid. Presentation includes structured planning questions, risk assessment template, method and diagrams, outline results table, outline graph and structured conclusion questions. I use this as an introductory practical for KS2 children getting into the science lab for the first time.

Balancing Forces Challenge - Card Sort Activity and Task/Answer Booklet - the zipped archive contains some forces objects and arrows for printing out and a booklet that challenges students to build different force arrow diagrams with their cards. The booklet contains model answers and explanation for students to check their ideas against.

Cholera in London Cartoon Strip and Interview - contains a cartoon writing/drawing frame, background information and quotes from key figures involved in the battle against cholera in London in the mid-Victorian era.

Renewable & Non-Renewable Energy Fact Cards - eleven brightly coloured fact cards each detailing the advantages and disadvantages of different renewable and non-renewable energy resources. Each card also gives a brief summary of how that particular energy resource is harvested and utilised.