David Paterson
David is a teacher of chemistry at Aldenham School, Elstree, and 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.
David blogs occasionally at dave2004b.wordpress.com.
IdeasTake a microscale approach to electrochemical cells
How you can use Petri dish galvanic cells to support learning about electricity
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Risk assessing your chemistry practicals
Keep on top of risk assessments to ensure your practical lessons are safe
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Teaching observation skills at 11–14
Observation is a key skill for budding chemists. This is how to develop it with your younger students
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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
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Tie sustainable industry into your chemistry topics
Complement your teaching of reaction kinetics, catalysts and equilibrium with UN sustainable development goal 9
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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
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Evaporation in action
Boost your 11–14 students’ knowledge and understanding of separation techniques with this poster, fact sheet and practical activity
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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
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Microscale technicians in trouble! investigation
Some solutions have been mixed up – help the technicians work out which is which
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Use on-screen simulations to successfully boost data skills
Perfect for remote teaching, but they’ve a role in classroom settings too
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Trainee teachers: how to learn to teach during lockdown
5 tips for continuing your ITT during the coronavirus crisis
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Displacement reactions
Activities, tips and ideas to help students get to grips with the reactivity series
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The 10 things you need to know as a trainee teacher
How to nail the most important things from the off
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How to tackle context in exams
Teach students how to apply their knowledge, not parrot back information
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States of matter and particle theory
Progressing from macroscopic to the microscopic world of the particle
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Improving practical work with integrated instructions
Do your students struggle to follow written instructions?
