Deepen your knowledge and boost your confidence with practical work. Your 11–16 year-old learners will reap the benefits

This set of 12 articles supports the teaching and learning of practical science. Each article will help you deepen your knowledge and confidence in embedding practical work into your teaching of pre-16 year-old learners.

In every article, you’ll find:

  • real-life contexts for the practicals
  • links to common experiments
  • strategies for scaffolding learners’ chemistry and motor skill development
  • ideas for avoiding misconceptions
  • accessible alternatives to recipe-based practical work
  • opportunities for enquiry-based learning.

These articles were originally written by classroom science teachers and education consultants. In 2024/5, chemistry and physics teacher David Paterson is updating the articles, ensuring they provide relevant contexts, up-to-date curriculum references and links to classroom resources. As we update a story, we’ll add it to this group. Please check back regularly. 

Teaching practical science

A teacher and younger high school students in a practical science class. The students are in uniform and they are all wearing lab coats and safety goggles. One girl is raising her hand.

Boost your confidence and your learners’ outcomes with these articles focused on practical lessons