In this project, students compare the properties of a range of fabrics made from different fibres. The fabrics could be woven or knitted and they could be made from natural fibres such as cotton and wool or synthetic fibres such as nylon. Students should investigate physical properties, such as strength,  tear...

In this project, students design a series of tests to find the best toothbrush and obtain quantitative data.  Some examples of the properties ytheymay wish to test include:

...

In this project, students design, make and test a device to test people’s reaction times.   They will need to consider the electronic circuitry involved, the power supply, input device, processor and...

Students will investigate if the decay pattern always the same and work out if it is ‘exponential’. They will also design and test a way of maximising the froth on fizzy drinks.

They then ca...

Students investigate the properties of materials used for cooking utensils in order to collect quantitative data.  For example, if testing for thermal conductivity they should gain a value for the rate at which heat flows through a cross-sectional area of material.  Students should also find out if...

In this project, students look at factors which affect the absorption of vitamins and minerals:

• They could use Visking tubing to model a cell membrane. The relative times taken...

In this project, student investigate the ingredients of lipsticks, and work out why lipsticks are certain colours, and work out how to change the consistency of lipstick and how to control its ‘...

In this project, students investigate the role of different additives used to preserve and enhance the quality of bread and determine how effective different additives are.   This could include:

• Preservatives

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In this project students investigate hair to gain both qualitative and quantitative data, look at the appearance of hair and measuring its strength before and after different treatments. Students will need to link up with mentors from industry or local further/higher...

In this project, students investigate the thermal properties of different fabrics used in cold weather clothing or other thermal insulation applications such as sleeping bags or duvets. They will also find out about TOG values and measure the TOG values of different fabrics.

In this project students carry out some research about how sails ‘work’ - what are the aerodynamic principles of a sail, and what...

In this podcast from the Planet Earth Online collection and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Richard Hollingham looks at where and how to find gold while Sue Nelson finds out why weather forecasters still struggle to predict sudden, violent summer storms. Other reports discover why scientists may be...

This report from Ofsted describes how assessment in science is most effective where it is used as a teaching tool as well as a means of judging attainment. Similarly the assessment of practical coursework is not just a means of assigning students to levels but of giving them the information they need to improve...

This report looks at hands-on practical science in secondary schools and uses an international study to answer the question ‘What does good look like?’. Using a  model of...

This case study describes how an inclusive approach to attendance and punctuality can improve overall success rates for learners with a declared disability or health condition, many of whom were formerly not in education, employment or training.