David Paterson
David is head of digital learning and a teacher of chemistry at Aldenham School, Elstree. He is also a part-time chemistry adviser at CLEAPSS.
During his teaching career, David has been head of chemistry, physics and science at state comprehensive schools in Hertfordshire. He was chemistry subject advisor at the UK exam board OCR before returning to the classroom in 2017.
David has a particular interest in the use and improvement of practical work in effective science teaching, assessment, and in teacher training and development. He is an active member of the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Association for Science Education. He was awarded the RSC Schools Education Award in 2020
David blogs occasionally at dave2004b.wordpress.com.
- CPD
Teaching spectroscopic techniques at post-16
Use these ideas and resources to help your students master spectroscopy
- Resource
Displacement reaction snap | 11–14 years
Consolidate learning about simple displacement reactions with this game, followed by a formative assessment activity for the whole class
- Resource
Hanukkah doughnuts: interpreting practical instructions | 11–14 years
Compare and evaluate a recipe format, a scientific method and integrated instructions
- Ideas
From microscale to full-scale practicals
Find out how to upscale your practicals to reduce cognitive load and improve students’ results
- Feature
Targeted strategies to support good classroom behaviour
Tackle potential behaviour challenges in your chemistry classroom before they arise
- CPD
Use post-16 atomic models to inform 14–16 understanding
It’ll help minimise unhelpful misconceptions too
- Ideas
Take a microscale approach to electrochemical cells
How you can use Petri dish galvanic cells to support learning about electricity
- Feature
Risk assessing your chemistry practicals
Keep on top of risk assessments to ensure your practical lessons are safe
- Practical
Qualitative tests for organic functional groups | practical videos | 16–18 students
Video and supporting resources to support a practical investigation to identify organic functional groups using a range of qualitative tests
- Practical
Electrochemical cells | practical videos | 16–18 students
Video and supporting resources to support electrochemistry practical work, including two microscale experiments, animation and cell diagrams
- Practical
Rates of reaction | practical videos | 16–18 students
Video and supporting resources to support practical work on rates of reaction, includes both an initial rate and continuous monitoring method
- CPD
Teaching observation skills at 11–14
Observation is a key skill for budding chemists. This is how to develop it with your younger students
- Resource
Microscale neutralisation and precipitation reactions
Hone your students’ observation skills by asking them to observe two microscale reactions: neutralising citric acid and creating a lead iodide precipitate
- Ideas
Tie sustainable industry into your chemistry topics
Complement your teaching of reaction kinetics, catalysts and equilibrium with UN sustainable development goal 9
- Resource
Catalysts and reaction conditions for sustainable industry | 16–18 years
Research and presentation activity based on catalysts and reaction conditions in the context of sustainable industry
- Feature
Evaporation in action
Boost your 11–14 students’ knowledge and understanding of separation techniques with this poster, fact sheet and practical activity
- Feature
Make learning chemistry child’s play
Does play have a role in science learning for older children? This is how to bring more creativity to older students’ learning and why it’s important
