Resources by Oxford Sparks

Biology to technology

In this biochemistry-based activity students consider why many industrial chemical reactions are being catalysed by enzymes. They find out about an important coenzyme, NADH and act in role as industrial chemists by evaluating the different ways of recycling it.

Cardiac chaos

In this lesson, students learn about the specialised cells of the heart and the tissues they form. They find out what can happen to the function of the heart if, as the result of an inherited condition, the cells are not arranged properly. The lesson begins with a video...

Chemistry of the cosmos

In this lesson, students apply their knowledge of reaction rates, and structure and bonding, to an exciting new context – the chemistry of interstellar space. Having watched an engaging animation, students work in groups to find out about the nature of interstellar space and its atoms, ions, and molecules. They...

Colder and colder

This lesson is designed to consolidate students’ understanding of the particle theory of matter, particularly as it applies to changes of state. The lesson begins by viewing an animation in which the temperature decreases until it is close to...

Computer says no

Programmers can program computers to learn to do certain tasks.  Although the programmer writes the initial program, as it is fed more data the computer changes the way that it carries out the task in order to improve its ability to perform it.  However, ...

Cool blades

In this activity, students learn about heat transfer from jet engine turbine blades. The blades reach temperatures as high as 1000 ºC. How do the blades cool, and how do scientists measure the rate of cooling at such high temperatures?

Crystal modelling

In this activity, students learn about X-ray crystallography. As well as considering its importance (scientists have used the technique to elucidate the structures of over half a million substances) students use models to learn about – and...

Crystal quest

In this activity, students synthesise prior learning about structure and bonding, and about enzymes, and apply it to a new context: X-ray crystallography. The main part of the activity involves students pitching for funding for new equipment – how will they use the...

Dark side of blue light

There is scientific evidence that the blue light emitted from mobile devices and computer screens disrupts sleep by delaying the body clock.

In this activity students carry out an investigation using filters to find...

DNA detectives

In this lesson students experience first-hand how collaboration between scientists helps make scientific discoveries.

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