Resources for teaching 7-9 years

Discover resources for teaching primary science to pupils aged 7-9 years

Solids, liquids and gases

Photo of equipment for the biscuit bashing investigation

Properties of solids and ‘biscuit bashing’

Try this investigation to observe the properties of granular solids, with detailed teacher notes, classroom slides and a video demonstration.

Picture of swirling patterns of food colouring in milk

Investigating surface tension with milk

Using simple household equipment, you can explore surface tension with learners, and create amazing patterns in milk. Includes kit list and safety instructions. 

a selection of different coloured solid shapes

Solids | Primary science video demonstrations

Display some exciting solid properties to primary learners: including biscuit bashing, dissolving and heavy sugar.

Butter and other dairy products

How to make butter

Make science delicious with this experiment on how to make butter! Explore how fat molecules bind, and emulsions are created. 

Photo of salt on a spoon, held above a glass of water

Freezing and the ‘intriguing ice’ experiment

Try this investigation to explore how materials change when they freeze, with detailed teacher notes, classroom slides and a video demonstration.

An aerial photograph of cumulus clouds above the sea, with shadows and a ship visible below

The life of water

Get hands on with H2O, changing states of matter and the water cycle. These experiments and investigations involve water in the context of space

picture of 3 beakers showing, ice cubes, partly melted ice cubes and water

Solids, liquids and gases: primary science podcasts

Join Kareena and her superhero friend K-mistry for this short podcast introducing children to solids, liquids and gases.

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Solids, liquids and gases: That’s Chemistry!

In association with

The ‘solids, liquids and gases’ chapter from That’s Chemistry! This chapter looks at key ideas and activities that can be used to help students learn about solids, liquids and gases, and understand that some materials change state when they are heated or cooled.

Materials

Photo of a selection of different household plastics

Recycling and melting plastics | 7–9 years

Connect your curriculum teaching on materials to engaging sustainability contexts. This topic web suggests classroom activities linked to sorting plastics for recycling and melting plastics for new uses.

magnet

Materials cards

Spark awareness of the properties and purposes of materials, while teaching terms like ‘permeable’, ‘transparent’ and ‘magnetic’.

An image showing a heatmap of a person in a jacket

Insulation investigation

Which material makes the warmest jacket? Investigate the insulating properties of various materials with this activity for ages 7–14

Football kicked into a goal

Chemistry and Sport - football

Materials chemistry has revolutionised the game of football and given us the balls, gloves, and goalposts we play with.

chunks and curls of dark and milk chocolate

Temper, temper: edible experiments

Why is tempering chocolate so important? Discover the importance of chemistry in everyday eating experiences with this edible experiment.

A selection of different shaped pieces of wood on a table

The properties of materials and their everyday uses: That’s Chemistry!

In association with

The ‘properties of materials’ chapter from That’s Chemistry! This chapter looks at key ideas and activities that can be used to help students learn how the properties of materials affects their suitability for different uses.

Bike in cycling race

Olympic materials Primary

This resource allows primary school students to explore the difference between a natural material and a synthetic material. The Materials used in different sports for the Olympic Games is then explored.

picture of a reusable cloth nappy on a washing line with a pink background

Smart materials in nappies: primary science podcasts

Join Kareena and her superhero friend K-mistry for this short podcast introducing children to absorbancy and comparing materials on the basis of their properties.

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Mixing and dissolving materials: That’s Chemistry!

In association with

The ‘mixing and dissolving materials’ chapter from That’s Chemistry! This chapter looks at key ideas and activities that can be used to help students learn that mixtures are made up of more than one substance and that some mixtures can be separated.

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Heating and cooling materials: That’s Chemistry!

In association with

The ‘heating and cooling materials’ chapter from That’s Chemistry! This chapter looks at key ideas and activities that can be used to help students learn how the properties of some materials change when they are heated, and that some of these changes are irreversible.

picture of a horse shoe red magnet on a blue background with yellow sparks coming out of it

Magnets: primary science podcasts

Join Kareena and her superhero friend K-mistry for this short podcast introducing children to magnets.

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Water and hydrogels

Challenge your students to answer the question: are we wasting water?

picture of drops of water on a teflon surface

Teflon: kitchen science podcasts

Introduce your students to Teflon and the properties of materials with this short podcast.

picture of a traditional stopwatch on a race track

Chemistry in sport: primary science podcasts

Join Kareena and her superhero friend K-mistry for this short podcast introducing children to how the properties of a material can make them suitable for a particular use.

Earth science

Aerial photo of brown polluted water entering the ocean

Saving water and pollution in the water cycle | 7–9 years

Connect your curriculum teaching on water and the water cycle to engaging sustainability contexts. This topic web suggests classroom activities on pollution in the water cycle, how water is cleaned and how we can use less of it. 

Photo of the Jurassic Coast in southern England

Big Jurassic Classroom

A downloadable book, teacher guides and activity packs from the Primary Science Teaching Trust and Jurassic Coast Trust. Use these to support the teaching of rocks, fossils and evolution, and bring the wonder of the Jurassic Coast into your classroom.

A preview of a cartoon with students asking questions about acid rain

Science Concept Cartoons: Acid rain

In association with

Spark discussion and stimulate thinking about acid rain in a way that encourages pupils to share their ideas

An aerial photograph of cumulus clouds above the sea, with shadows and a ship visible below

The life of water

Get hands on with H2O, changing states of matter and the water cycle. These experiments and investigations involve water in the context of space

A selection of lots of rocks on the ground

Found in the ground

Give your pupils the knowledge and the opportunity to classify materials according to rocks, minerals and fossils.

Photo of a selection of different sized rocks

Virtual rock kit

A collection of common sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks. Each rock has images showing particle arrangements, the rock after weathering, hand sized specimens and the rock in use.

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The water cycle: That’s Chemistry!

In association with

The ‘water cycle’ chapter from That’s Chemistry! This chapter looks at key ideas and activities that can be used to help students learn how different liquids evaporate at different rates, and the factors that affect these rates.

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Rocks and soils: That’s Chemistry!

In association with

The ‘rocks and soils’ chapter from That’s Chemistry! This chapter looks at key ideas and activities that can be used to help students learn that different types of rocks and soils have different properties.

Curriculum maps

Primary curriculum guide

England national curriculum guide: key stage 2 science

A linking document for primary science teachers in England, which maps Royal Society of Chemistry resources to statements from the key stage 2 science sampling framework, which aligns with the national curriculum science programmes of study.

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Wales national curriculum guide: key stage 2 science

Use this document when planning schemes of work or when looking for resources that are related to specific national curriculum statements.

Open book with a Scottish flag behind it

Scotland curriculum for excellence guide: early to second level science

A linking document for primary science teachers in Scotland, which maps Royal Society of Chemistry resources to experiences and outcomes from the Curriculum for Excellence. 

Complex connections mind map

English chemistry curriculum map

Use this map to get an overview of the English chemistry curriculum, from primary to undergraduate level.

Blackboard and post it notes in the shape of a mind map

Northern Ireland chemistry curriculum map

Plan your implementation and delivery of the Northern Irish chemistry curriculum, whether you teach at foundation phase or undergraduate level. 

Science ideas webs

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Space: science ideas webs

A web of suggested ideas for linking science with the topic space. You can learn history and science together with activities for different age groups.

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The Victorians: science ideas webs

A web of suggested ideas for linking science with the topic the Victorians. You can learn history and science together with activities for different age groups.

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The Stone Age: science ideas webs

A web of suggested ideas for linking science with the topic the stone age. You can learn history and science together with activities for different age groups. 

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Maya and Aztecs: science ideas webs

A web of suggested ideas for linking science with the topic the Maya and Aztecs. You can learn history and science together with activities for different age groups. 

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The Romans: science ideas webs

A web of suggested ideas for linking science with the topic the Romans. You can learn history and science together with activities for different age groups. 

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Ancient Egypt: science ideas webs

A web of suggested ideas for linking science with the topic Ancient Egypt. You can learn history and science together with activities for different age groups.