We hope you’ve had a great term and are looking forward to the Christmas break as much as we are. Before you wind down completely, plan ahead with resources to keep your students curious about chemistry over the holidays and explore development opportunities to start the new year feeling confident.
Below, you’ll find competitions to challenge your students, festive chemistry ideas to share and CPD opportunities to boost your confidence for the year ahead. And while you’re planning, don’t forget our Education in Chemistry survey closes on Friday 12 December – your feedback will help shape our online and print content. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Register for your free Teach Chemistry account today
By setting up your free account you’ll get unlimited access to the support you need, when you need it: lesson resources, CPD, funding opportunities and more – plus print issues of the Education in Chemistry magazine.
Challenge your students with the UK Chemistry Olympiad
The Chemistry Olympiad is a great opportunity for young chemists aged 16–18 in the British Isles. Give your students a challenge, feed their curiosity and help them find their community by joining thousands of students in this free competition. Join in for free as part of Teach Chemistry.
Share chemistry TikTok videos with your students this festive season
Your students will surely be scrolling this holiday – give them chemistry to discover while they do.
Our TikTok channel has more than 300 videos that make chemistry fun and relatable, from newsworthy explainers and real-life career stories to festive chemistry and simple experiments to try at home. Latest highlights include the mystery of glass inside a human brain, frogs with superpowers and the future of eco-friendly fashion.
Enhance your curriculum with climate change examples
Wednesday 28 January | 4–5pm GMT | online
Join our online teacher support session and discover practical ways to bring climate science and sustainability into your chemistry lessons. You’ll leave with ideas and examples to enrich your curriculum.
Boost your confidence in delivering practical work
Led by expert facilitators, our Effective delivery of practical work course will help you develop strategies for delivering practical work as well as hints and tips to manage your classroom during practical work.
Priority will be given to teachers working in schools in challenging circumstances, defined as:
- Ireland: DEIS school
- England: >35% pupil premium eligibility
- Northern Ireland: >45% free school meals eligibility
- Scotland: >25% free school meals eligibility
- Wales: >30% free school meals eligibility
Schools’ Analyst Competition 2026
Give your 16–17 year-old students the chance to expand their analytical skills in this exciting competition. They’ll solve a crime using forensic science and cosmetics chemistry. Registration is open until the end of February 2026 – apply now for your samples and kit today.
The competition runs from mid-April through to mid-June. Held at 400 schools and colleges around the UK and Ireland.
Apply for your kit and samples here
ASE Climate Science CPD series launches in the new year
Climate change is a critical global challenge, making science education essential. ASE’s new series brings together climate and education experts to build teacher knowledge, confidence, and strategies, helping students critically evaluate information, understand solutions, and engage with the curriculum, while supporting those experiencing climate-related anxiety in meaningful ways.
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