Use ideas from this issue

Resources and ideas for your classroom

• Explore toxic foods, with a practical activity on preparing a standard of oxalic acid for 16–18
• Share this brilliant infographic on four allotropes of carbon with your students and use the accompanying activities for 14–16 to explore their different properties
• The perfect context for separation techniques? Cornish lithium mining. With assessment worksheet for 11–14
• Fit in some careers by introducing students to a scientist using his chemistry skills to help plan a new lithium mine
• Rate and equilibrium: tips for promoting understanding and refining exam technique
• Help students develop essential skills for post-16 exams, higher education and the workplace 
• Successful solutions for teaching reading in science

The latest research & CPD

• The latest science from Chemistry World for your CPD, with starter slides for your classroom: breaking down polyethelyne chains into higher value products, water purification in ancient Maya communities, nanoparticles starving cancer cells of copper
• Education research: why you should teach metacognition explicitly and what to look out for with reaction kinetics graphs
• How scientists are using spectroscopy to identify counterfeit whisky 
• Show students what 100kJ of energy looks (and sounds) like with this impressive demo
• The ultimate guide to teaching earth science at 11–14, with tips, ideas and activities
• Technologies to enhance your socially-distanced teaching, whether students are in the classroom or at home
• Improve your online feedback: try objective-based marking to save time and engage students with your comments

For the staffroom

• Our experts answer the pressing questions at the forefront of NQTs’ minds
• Can flexible working keep teachers teaching?
• Find out why you should enter your students in science competitions as well as which ones are running in 2021 despite the pandemic
• One of this year’s NQTs asks to be judged on her classroom teaching, not her interrupted training
• If you’re in need of a giggle, check out When This Is All Over®.