These diagnostic questions and response activities (contained in the zip file) support students in being able to:

• Identify which of two objects or substances has the most energy in its thermal store when the only difference between them is temperature

• Identify which of two objects...

RAL Space is the UK’s national space laboratory where our thermal engineers and technicians help design and build spacecraft. They make sure that the components will work correctly and are protected in the extreme temperatures of space by using a special type of insulation. In this activity and presentation, pupils...

A pair of videos that studies the thermal insulation properties of bubble wrap. This first video allows students to see an experiment that investigates how increasing the number of layers of bubble wrap around a beaker affects the cooling of hot water. The second explains how to interpret the data, plot the graph...

This experiment allows you to investigate the boiling point of brine and the melting point of lead using a potentiometer arrangement. An alternative approach using digital voltmeters is also included at the bottom of the sheet.

In this Catalyst article, Mike Follows describes the surprising range of thermometers available to scientists today.

Many physical properties of materials depend on temperature. Thermometers are vital for measuring body temperature. The body's biochemical reactions work best at 37°C and the body is in...

This Unilever Laboratory Experiment, published in 1970, describes the analysis of fluorescers from soap and soapless detergent powders. The procedure describes how the fluorescers can be extracted from the product, separated by thin layer chromatography techniques, and made visible by exposing the chromatograms to...

Produced by Teachers TV, this short video is part of the Lesson Planning Pack series. It encourages primary school children to think about the items in a house that use electricity. It can be used as a lesson starter to stimulate thought and discussion about electricity in the household. Heather is late for work so...

This Science upd8 activity illustrates practical applications of classroom science in the context of using sustainable building materials, and highlights several related various career routes. Students become members of a consultancy firm which specialises in sustainable building projects. They have to use their...

Published by the Wellcome Trust, the 'Big Picture' explores issues around biology and medicine. The human brain may be the most complex structure in the universe.

The brain is so powerful that it is attempting to...

The questions in the resources aim to provoke thinking and discussion in science lessons to consolidate and extend core curriculum knowledge and understanding.  They can be used as a stand-alone activity and require no preparation, although there is Teacher Guidance to accompany each  set of questions. You can...

Work done in this Nuffield 13 - 16 module followed from the B unit called ‘Machines and engines’ and the S unit ‘Fuels’. This X unit provided enough material for eight double periods. It could be selected to complete either a Science or a Further Science course. The...

This activity sheet is based on the Inventive Podcast.  It introduces inventor and entrepreneur Ruth Amos, and encourages students' to think creatively . The activity sheet also supports Careers Benchmark 4: Careers in the curriculum by introducing a career and role model. There are also links to short audio clips...

Published in June 2015. Thinking, doing, talking science (TDTS) is a new approach to primary school science that...