British Science week 2016 This presentation explores the history of science and how it is capable of having both a positive and negative influence. It also looks at some key science talking points from 2015/2016. There is a short quiz, and finally some key questions to consider and hopefully spark an interesting discussion!

Used with my high ability year 7 class. Glued the passport into the front of their books, and added their 'passport photo' in which they drew themselves as scientists. Investigation skills linked heavily to the KS3 National Curriculum. Following a practical students write the data in the table heading, and tick off the skills they have developed/demonstrated. Could enhance this with a red amber green system to show the progress they are making towards a skill. When writing up a practical I encourage them to finish with a reflection in which they link back to these skills. I found previously they struggled to describe skills so this gives them a prompt. Aim to demonstrate each skill through a range of different practicals across the year, such that by then end they may hope to achieve 'expert' status. I produced this to link to the idea of the new A-level CPAC criteria and the idea of demonstrating mastery of practical techniques. With each new book they may receive a new passport.

Year 7 Science lesson, could be adapted to use with other year groups Students work in groups, each group is researching a different type of plate boundary (conservative, constructive, destructive, collision). They then move around the room and teach other groups about what they have learnt. Focus if the Nepal Earthquake, and students use their learning from the lesson to explain what plate boundary there is in Nepal and why the Earthquake occurred.

Used with a high ability GCSE class. Years 9,10, 11

Year 9 iGCSE chemistry.

Used to refresh pupils minds to Chemistry prior to starting unit on bonding.

Presentation to introduce learning in Science. Gets pupils to reflect on science in Primary schools and discuss their anxieties/excitement for secondary school science. In small groups, use A3 paper for pupils to draw their mental image of a scientist. 99% will go with the mad scientist stereotype. Look at each other's drawings, and then go through some images of 'real-life' scientist, to get pupils to reconsider their initial stereotype - making the point that we can all be scientists as we make hypotheses, analyse, and consider solutions. Skills sort (I laminated these) - Which skills are most important to a scientist. Pupils work in small groups, and generate excellent discussion, with teacher playing devil's advocate. Gets pupils to think about how scientists actually work. Finally pupils can redraw their scientists, annotating diagrams with the key skills which a scientist may showcase! Really fun lesson.

Revision resource used for whole class at end of topic on Ionic, simple covalent and giant covalent structures.

Used with my high ability year 8 class - taught separate sciences so this passport is titled Biology, which can obviously be amended. Glued the passport into the front of their books, and added their 'passport photo' in which they drew themselves as scientists. Investigation skills linked heavily to the KS3 National Curriculum. Following a practical students write the data in the table heading, and tick off the skills they have developed/demonstrated. Could enhance this with a red amber green system to show the progress they are making towards a skill. When writing up a practical I encourage them to finish with a reflection in which they link back to these skills. I found previously they struggled to describe skills so this gives them a prompt. Aim to demonstrate each skill through a range of different practicals across the year, such that by then end they may hope to achieve 'expert' status. I produced this to link to the idea of the new A-level CPAC criteria and the idea of demonstrating mastery of practical techniques. With each new book they may receive a new passport.

Used with high ability year 7 class. Labelled parts of a bunsen burner and performed a practical investigation, measuring the temperature change of water when using each of the 3 flames. Students draw a graph of their results.

Used with high ability iGCSE Chemistry class. Notes on Diamond, Graphite (and Buckminster Fullerene) and Silicon dioxide. Students highlight and annotate this whilst looking at models of these structures and discussing them as a class. Use the information sheet as a comprehension activity by setting key questions [e.g. why does graphite conduct electricity but diamond does not?]

Lesson designed for Year 9 iGCSE class, high ability. Lesson plan and worksheets all included. Starter: As students enter the room, pictures laid out on the tables. Can they work out the lesson topic? Main: 4 stations set up around the room for students to consider the causes, effects, solutions to acid rain and an intro to Indicator species. Plenary: Used a word loop on acid rain and the greenhouse effect, found on Tes. Graded Outstanding

Year 7 Science lesson with cross-curricular themes. Practical where students are given a sample of muddy water and need to consider how they would clean this. After having an initial brainstorm, then give them the equipment and see if they can use this to draft their method. Link to citizenship, as students consider the work of Water Aid, and the global issue and consequences that arise from lack of clean drinking water. Very thought provoking lesson, and encourages students to think deeply on the subject matter. Students really enjoyed the challenge of this lesson. Was rated outstanding by observer.

Year 7 Science lesson - theme of exploration. As they enter the classroom there are an array of items spread out on their desks. I used opera glasses, a fossil collection, a meat thermometer, heart rate monitor, etc. The aim is to get them to brainstorm their thoughts, which focus on what we already know, rather than asking questions and concentrating on the unknown. Prompt them to consider this and develop their questioning! In groups they take a research topic where much doubt remains. They look at what people used to think, what scientists now believe and what we may find out in the future. Then present their findings to other groups, I used a carousel activity. Amazing results - one group looked at subatomic particles down to quarks! Could be spread over more than one lesson. Worked really successfully with my group, as children realised that science is evolving and many questions must be asked if we are to enhance human understanding.

Could be used with Year 10/11. Was formally observed, and graded OUTSTANDING. Interactive activities with one student from each group having to memorise a diagram of metallic structure and then describe it to their group. Plenary activity to revise covalent bonding before their test. Molecules can be changed to make this lesson suitable for less able groups. Students thoroughly enjoyed the lesson.