GCSE Biology/ Combined Science Required Practical Challenge

These resources are suitable for GCSE AQA (9-1) Combined Science (Biology) with GCSE Biology practicals highlighted in grey. Answers are also provided on a separate sheet for each discipline.

Where did this come from?
We noticed through our gap analyses that students were struggling with the GCSE Required Practicals. However, they had just sat a number of exams so we wanted to plan a revision session which was a little bit more fun. The feedback we have received has been quite positive.

What did we do?
We ran a ‘Required Practical Challenge’ session for each half of our Year 11 cohort (during one of their timetabled double lessons) based in our school’s Main Hall. There we divided them up into groups and shared the plan for the afternoon. (Schedule on information document provided).

What did each section of the session involve?
Challenge – students were directed in groups to three labs, each containing the equipment for all of the Required Practicals for each discipline. They had to enter each lab as a group and decide 1) which Required Practical had been omitted, and 2) which piece of equipment had not been provided for each of the Required Practicals which were present. The sheets provided for the students also had this missing piece of apparatus missing.

A3 Sheet – the sheet mentioned above also included a task for students to complete relating to each Required Practical. These tasks were selected to involve knowledge recall and application, scientific literacy, mathematical skills and working scientifically skills. Students were given some time and support to complete these tasks.

Working Scientifically Skills – we used some brilliant resources from TES (https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/science-exam-skills-graphs-tables-diagrams-formulae-11330817) and supported students whilst they tackled these tasks.

Resources created by @NortonPhysics