Earth and Atmosphere
This list covers a wide range of connected topics linked to environmental aspects of chemistry at key stage 4.
The resources cover the composition and evolution of the Earth's atmosphere since the Earth was formed, and present day atmospheric pollution such as acid rain and particulates (POMs or particulate organic matter). The source of such pollutants in the combustion of fossil fuels, and the potential consequences to the environment and to health are also included here.
Students need to understand the greenhouse effect and its consequences in terms of global warming and climate change. Students often confuse the greenhouse effect and global warming and assume they are the same thing. Methods of reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are also included.
These resources also look at how drinking water is obtained from surface and ground water, including filtration to remove particles and sterilisation to kill microorganisms, desalination and the treatment of waste water and sewage
Whilst this list provides a source of information and ideas for experimental work, it is important to note that recommendations can date very quickly. Do NOT follow suggestions which conflict with current advice from CLEAPSS, SSERC or other recent safety guides. eLibrary users are responsible for ensuring that any activity, including practical work, which they carry out is consistent with current regulations related to Health and Safety and that they carry an appropriate risk assessment. Further information is provided in our Health and Safety guidance
Evolution of the Atmosphere *suitable for home teaching*
This worksheet explores the evolution of the Earth's atmosphere and details the key stages in the evolution and the causes that are attributed to the changes. Questions are included to make students actively think about and process the ideas being presented. There is a separate handout with the answers. A rich resource looking at evidence for the evolutionary model that challenges students to think and question.
Athens, Greece - Dissolving: Acid Rain
This activity looks at the effects of acidic gases emitted from power stations and cars on marble statues around the world. This acts as a stimulus for demonstrations and activities on acid rain. Students are also asked to come up with a solution to the traffic problems in Athens. It is worthwhile for the images it contains although it is not recent and so the hyperlinks to external additional material are no longer active.
Climate Talk
This is a structured group activity that uses a series of cards to prompt students to think about issues around climate change and what they can do about it. There are detailed instructions about how to use the resources in a number of ways depending on the end goal of the session.
Climate Change: The Causes
This is a good video to introduce the topic of climate change. It looks at greenhouse gases, natural climate variation and how industrialisation may be affecting the climate. It also looks at why climate change is a controversial subject.
Climate Change: the Impacts
This video uses footage from around the planet to demonstrate some potential impacts of climate change on the environment. It could be used as a starting point to look at what might be done to minimise the impact of human behaviour.
Drinking Water *suitable for home teaching*
This student booklet looks at how important drinking water is, how it is purified, and issues that arise in parts of the world where fresh water is scarce. There are various activities that prompt students to think about this issue in different ways. The resource contains a student activity book and teacher notes.
Water Supply and Developing Countries
This pack contains detailed instructions on how to carry out a workshop looking at how access to clean water varies in different countries. Students are split into groups to represent different countries and need to think about how to use their resources to provide a clean drinking supply for their citizens. There is also a powerpoint and student resources to use throughout the activity.
Pure Water
This video shows that water is becoming an increasingly more precious commodity even in affluent areas and looks at some of the more extreme methods engineers are developing to conserve it.
Information is beautiful
This is an excellent infographic which presents information about the effects of releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Climate Scientist *suitable for home teaching*
This short video highlights the difference between weather and climate and looks at how the Met office uses computer modelling to make predictions.
Carbon Capture and Storage, Floods, CryoSat-2 *suitable for home teaching*
This is a really interesting podcast that explains carbon capture and storage, why it is important, and how we can monitor the thickness of polar ice. There is also a transcript available.
Decarbonisation Game
This resource from Siemens consists of an interactive online game and some curriculum linked extension resources. The resources inform students, aged 11 to 16, about various features of the climate crisis and then challenge them to draw all the information together to form an overall view.
Smart Infrastructures
Learn about sustainable cities, decarbonisation and how to become a Green Leader in this Smart Infrastructure interactive.
This online interactive resource from Siemens introduces the ideas of sustainable cities, decarbonisation and green leaders.
There will be rain
This activity looks at the affect of climate change on flooding and then asks pupils to work in groups on a hands on challenge to reduce the flow of water down a hillside using a model.
Who can save Stemville?
This activity looks at the affect of climate change on flooding and then asks pupils to work in groups on challenge to select the best flood management systems to save the town of Stemville from flooding.
Greenhouse gases
This fact sheet explores the different greenhouse gases in our atmosphere and the impact they have on our climate.
Water resources
These fact sheets for secondary aged pupils explore the how fresh water is needed for every part of our lives, and how access to clean water is becoming increasingly difficult with a growing population and changing climate so discovering new supplies and managing water carefully is more important than ever. It also includes an explanation of hard and soft water and how to test for hard water.