Catherine Smith
Catherine is head of science at The Hinckley School, an 11–18 academy in Leicestershire.
FeatureEverything you need to teach fractional distillation
With this poster and classroom activity, your 14–16 students will soon be experts
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Teaching the rock cycle
Cement your younger students’ understanding of how rocks are formed with this poster and game
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Acid–base indicators | 16–18 years
Test learners’ understanding of acid–base equilibria with this series of questions on indicators
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How to teach structure determination post-16
Students find this process puzzling. Help them solve it with these ideas and tips
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Structure determination | 16–18 years
Test learners’ ability to identify the spectra of given compounds and apply their understanding of infrared and NMR spectroscopy with this worksheet
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Iron: a fiery future | 14–16 years
In this activity students are required to apply their understanding of redox to identify which metal is oxidised and which is reduced in a series of displacement reactions
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Fossil fuels and global carbon emissions | 14–16 years
Classroom activity where learners explore and debate the issues around fossil fuels, energy and global carbon emissions
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Slot sustainable energy into your teaching
Useful tips and activities to link UN sustainable development goal 7 to your lessons on energy, hydrogen, sustainability and esterification
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Analysing ice cream | 11–14 years
A data analysis exercise for 11–14-year-old learners based on an experiment to measure how the amount of milk fat affects the viscosity of ice cream. Learners will draw graphs, describe trends in the data and identify variables
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Separating caffeine | 11–14 years
DART (Directed Activity Related to Text) covering separation techniques, including dissolution, distillation and filtration. Decaffeination provides a great context to add depth to a sequence of lessons on separation techniques.
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Rock cycle board game
A simple board game to help students avoid the common misconception that there is only one set path through the rock cycle
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How to teach the chemistry of the rock cycle at 11–14
Develop your teaching practice with the ultimate guide to teaching the chemistry of the rock cycle including resources, misconceptions and teaching ideas
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How to teach earth science at 11–14
Use real-life examples and historical information to help students get to grips with the structure and composition of the Earth
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Put organic chemistry concepts in context
3 ways to teach 14–16 students how to apply their knowledge to new scenarios and prepare them for exams
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Raise your students’ aspirations
Try these effective strategies to inspire pupils to pursue STEM subjects and careers
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Lending a hand with sanitiser
When one of the key weapons in the fight against Covid-19 was in short supply, some unlikely manufacturers stepped in
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Concrete solutions to sustainable materials
Enhance your teaching of materials and explore how new types of concrete could reduce carbon emissions
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Epidemiology: Calling the disease detectives
What is an epidemiologist? Inspire students with this fascinating insight into the world of some of the most powerful scientific detectives
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How to use a slide show for a live lesson
Catherine Smith shares her strategy for teaching a remote lesson on the Hess cycle
