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.
FeatureTargeted 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
- 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
- Resource
Microscale technicians in trouble! investigation
Some solutions have been mixed up – help the technicians work out which is which
- Ideas
Use on-screen simulations to successfully boost data skills
Perfect for remote teaching, but they’ve a role in classroom settings too
- Ideas
Trainee teachers: how to learn to teach during lockdown
5 tips for continuing your ITT during the coronavirus crisis
- CPD
Displacement reactions
Activities, tips and ideas to help students get to grips with the reactivity series
- Feature
The 10 things you need to know as a trainee teacher
How to nail the most important things from the off
- Feature
How to tackle context in exams
Teach students how to apply their knowledge, not parrot back information
- CPD
States of matter and particle theory
Progressing from macroscopic to the microscopic world of the particle
