Catherine Smith
Catherine is head of science at The Hinckley School, an 11–18 academy in Leicestershire.
FeatureHow to teach the Earth’s structure for younger students
Get to the core of the Earth’s composition with this poster, fact sheet and classroom activity
ResourcePatient prognosis | Problem based practical activities
Dilution, colorimetry and observation skills come together to get students to adapt their chemical knowledge to support medicine.
ResourceCompound confusion | Problem based practical activities
Explore the use of analytical methods and empirical formula to identify unlabelled chemicals.
ResourceCool drinking | Problem based practical activities
Support students to discover the correct chemical compound to achieve a desired effect on a product, in this case a drinks container.
ResourceIodination inquiry | Problem based practical activities
Gather data and determine the rate equations for certain reactions with this class practical.
ResourceAcid erosion | Problem based practical activities
Remember to brush up on acid erosion with this experiment into the effects of different acid concentrates on tooth enamel
ResourceCoursework conundrum | Problem based practical activities
Explore the oxidation of alcohols and carboxylic acids, to help a student in this experiment scenario
ResourceAlcohol detective | Problem based practical activities
Students use distillation to purify two samples of fake vodka seized by the local police, and impart an important lesson on chemistry and alcohol.
ResourceA little gas | Problem based practical activities
Students will review the use of computer simulations in sixth form chemistry, writing for science magazine ’The Mole’
ResourceCleaning solutions | Problem based practical activities
Compare household chemicals and make a recommendation for the best bleach to an advertising agency.
ResourceCarbonate rocks | Problem based practical activities
Using mass change experiments and visual inspection, students must identify four unknown metal carbonates.
FeatureEverything you need to teach fractional distillation
With this poster and classroom activity, your 14–16 students will soon be experts
FeatureTeaching the rock cycle
Cement your younger students’ understanding of how rocks are formed with this poster and game
ResourceAcid–base indicators | 16–18 years
Test learners’ understanding of acid–base equilibria with this series of questions on indicators
CPDHow to teach structure determination post-16
Students find this process puzzling. Help them solve it with these ideas and tips
ResourceStructure determination | 16–18 years
Test learners’ ability to identify the spectra of given compounds and apply their understanding of infrared and NMR spectroscopy with this worksheet
ResourceIron: a fiery future | 14–16 years
In this activity students are required to apply their understanding of redox to identify which metal is oxidised and which is reduced in a series of displacement reactions
ResourceFossil fuels and global carbon emissions | 14–16 years
Classroom activity where learners explore and debate the issues around fossil fuels, energy and global carbon emissions
IdeasSlot sustainable energy into your teaching
Useful tips and activities to link UN sustainable development goal 7 to your lessons on energy, hydrogen, sustainability and esterification