Experiments and investigations

Inspiration and resources for experiments and investigations

Primary science investigations

Example pages from teacher notes, student worksheet and classroom slides that make up this resource, one half shows the primary resource and the other half the lower secondary version

Popping good chemistry

Investigate simple chemical reactions, irreversible changes and gases around us with this exciting experiment

Photo of scrunched up newspaper balanced on a ruler

Air pressure, gases and the leaky bottle

Try this simple investigation to explore the effects of air pressure, with detailed teacher notes, classroom slides and a video demonstration.

From kitchen to classroom

Simple chemistry experiments using kitchen cupboard equipment.

Picture of fresh spinach leaves

Chalky spinach

How does the food we eat affect our bodies? Discover the acid inside spinach, and why it can feel chalky

Picture of a glass of water in a desert

How to purify water

Explore the water cycle, and see how it can be used to purify your own water. A perfect experiment for the classroom, or at home, with kit list and safety instructions included.

Demonstrations

Photo of oil, water and sand separated in a beaker

Separating mixtures | Primary science video demonstrations

Fun demonstrations of different mixtures, including racing liquids and rainbow colours.

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.

picture of lots of metal cylinders with compressed gas inside

Gases | Primary science video demonstrations

Showing the properties of gases to primary learners, with examples from: the leaky bottle and the sticky cups

Developing scientific skills

Help your pupils develop their scientific skills with these experiments and resources

Asking scientific questions

Photo of a traditional cooking stove that burns wood under a cooking pot

Pollutants produced by chemical changes | 9–11 years

Connect your curriculum teaching on chemical changes to engaging sustainability contexts. This topic web suggests classroom activities linked to plastic degradation and clean cooking. 

Photo of a circuit using three potatoes to light a bulb

Electricity and batteries | 7–9 years

Connect your curriculum teaching on electricity to engaging sustainability contexts. This topic web suggests classroom activities linked to batteries and electric cars. 

Photo of a man checking an electricity meter on his phone

Electricity production and use | 9–11 years

Connect your curriculum teaching on electricity to engaging sustainability contexts. This topic web suggests classroom activities linked to sustainable sources of electricity and monitoring our electricity usage. 

Preview of a cartoon with students asking questions about rusting

Science concept cartoons: rusting

In association with

Use this conversation starter to get your pupils thinking about the process of rusting, and discussing different possibilities.

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

Preview of a cartoon with students asking questions about condensation

Science concept cartoons: condensation

In association with

Show this concept cartoon to your class to get them talking and thinking about condensation in new ways.

Observing and measuring

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An Dàrna Cogadh: lìontan nam beachdan saidheans

Lìon nam beachdan mollaichte airson ceangal a dhèanamh eadar saidheans agus cuspair An Dàrna Cogadh. Faodaidh tu eachdraidh agus saidheans ionnsachadh còmhla le gnìomhachasan airson buidhnean de dh’aoisean diofraichte

X Ray image

Bendy bones

What makes bones strong? Children can learn about the role that calcium plays in skeletons

Photo of who bees collecting pollen from a purple flower

Biodiversity and habitats | 4–7 years

Connect your curriculum teaching on habitats to engaging sustainability contexts. This topic web suggests classroom activities linked to increasing biodiversity and protecting marine habitats.

picture of a blue lava lamp

Changing materials | Primary science video demonstrations

Material changes are demonstrated using fun examples: bouncy custard, bath bombs, burning candles, fire extinguishers, lava lamps and many more.

picture of a selection of different coloured sweets

Colourful food: kitchen science podcasts

Introduce your students to colours in food with this short podcast.

Photo of the inside of a mobile phone

Decaying and materials in mobiles | 9–11 years

Connect your curriculum teaching on materials to engaging sustainability contexts. This topic web suggests classroom activities linked to the materials found in mobile phones and how different materials decay.

Making predictions

Example pages from teacher notes, student worksheet and classroom slides that make up this resource, one half shows the primary resource and the other half the lower secondary version

Popping good chemistry

Investigate simple chemical reactions, irreversible changes and gases around us with this exciting experiment

Photo of a traditional cooking stove that burns wood under a cooking pot

Pollutants produced by chemical changes | 9–11 years

Connect your curriculum teaching on chemical changes to engaging sustainability contexts. This topic web suggests classroom activities linked to plastic degradation and clean cooking. 

Photo of a polar bear scratching their neck with one paw

Protecting animals and their habitats | 7–9 years

Connect your curriculum teaching on habitats to engaging sustainability contexts. This topic web suggests classroom activities linked to protecting the habitats of orangutans and polar bears. 

Photo of a glass of cola with ice in. Next to the glass is seven teaspoons with sugar on.

Dissolving, density and sugary drinks

Try this investigation to get learners exploring the mass of sugar dissolved in their favourite drinks, with detailed teacher notes, classroom slides and a video demonstration.

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.

Picture of chopped red cabbage

Red cabbage rainbows

In this activity, learners create rainbows using homemade red cabbage indicator paper. Includes video aimed at learners, kit list, instruction and explanation

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

Preview of a cartoon with students asking questions about rusting

Science concept cartoons: rusting

In association with

Use this conversation starter to get your pupils thinking about the process of rusting, and discussing different possibilities.

Recording data

Image

An Dàrna Cogadh: lìontan nam beachdan saidheans

Lìon nam beachdan mollaichte airson ceangal a dhèanamh eadar saidheans agus cuspair An Dàrna Cogadh. Faodaidh tu eachdraidh agus saidheans ionnsachadh còmhla le gnìomhachasan airson buidhnean de dh’aoisean diofraichte

Photo of who bees collecting pollen from a purple flower

Biodiversity and habitats | 4–7 years

Connect your curriculum teaching on habitats to engaging sustainability contexts. This topic web suggests classroom activities linked to increasing biodiversity and protecting marine habitats.

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Chemistry in sport

Our very first global experiment compares the performance enhancement of student-made sports drinks vs water

Photo of a glass of cola with ice in. Next to the glass is seven teaspoons with sugar on.

Dissolving, density and sugary drinks

Try this investigation to get learners exploring the mass of sugar dissolved in their favourite drinks, with detailed teacher notes, classroom slides and a video demonstration.

Designing experiments

Photo of a traditional cooking stove that burns wood under a cooking pot

Pollutants produced by chemical changes | 9–11 years

Connect your curriculum teaching on chemical changes to engaging sustainability contexts. This topic web suggests classroom activities linked to plastic degradation and clean cooking. 

Photo of a circuit using three potatoes to light a bulb

Electricity and batteries | 7–9 years

Connect your curriculum teaching on electricity to engaging sustainability contexts. This topic web suggests classroom activities linked to batteries and electric cars. 

Photo of a young girl putting a plastic bottle into a household bin

Materials, recycling and rubbish | 4–7 years

Connect your curriculum teaching on materials to engaging sustainability contexts. This topic web suggests classroom activities linked to recycling and how much rubbish is produced in your school.

Photo of seven lit tea lights in a glass bowl

Irreversible changes and the ‘fire extinguisher’

Try this investigation to explore what materials need to burn, with detailed teacher notes, classroom slides and a video demonstration.

Interpreting data

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An Dàrna Cogadh: lìontan nam beachdan saidheans

Lìon nam beachdan mollaichte airson ceangal a dhèanamh eadar saidheans agus cuspair An Dàrna Cogadh. Faodaidh tu eachdraidh agus saidheans ionnsachadh còmhla le gnìomhachasan airson buidhnean de dh’aoisean diofraichte

Photo of who bees collecting pollen from a purple flower

Biodiversity and habitats | 4–7 years

Connect your curriculum teaching on habitats to engaging sustainability contexts. This topic web suggests classroom activities linked to increasing biodiversity and protecting marine habitats.

Image

Chemistry in sport

Our very first global experiment compares the performance enhancement of student-made sports drinks vs water

Photo of a man checking an electricity meter on his phone

Electricity production and use | 9–11 years

Connect your curriculum teaching on electricity to engaging sustainability contexts. This topic web suggests classroom activities linked to sustainable sources of electricity and monitoring our electricity usage. 

Evaluating

Example pages from teacher notes, student worksheet and classroom slides that make up this resource, one half shows the primary resource and the other half the lower secondary version

Popping good chemistry

Investigate simple chemical reactions, irreversible changes and gases around us with this exciting experiment

Photo of a traditional cooking stove that burns wood under a cooking pot

Pollutants produced by chemical changes | 9–11 years

Connect your curriculum teaching on chemical changes to engaging sustainability contexts. This topic web suggests classroom activities linked to plastic degradation and clean cooking. 

Photo of a man checking an electricity meter on his phone

Electricity production and use | 9–11 years

Connect your curriculum teaching on electricity to engaging sustainability contexts. This topic web suggests classroom activities linked to sustainable sources of electricity and monitoring our electricity usage. 

Global experiments

Primary school children with clipboards

Global experiments

Engage your students with hands-on, fully-resourced, group activities that are adaptable for all ages

Edible experiments

logo for edible experiments showing cartoon foods in flasks and test tubes

Edible experiments

Discover the importance of chemistry in everyday eating experiences with this collection of edible experiments. 

That's Chemistry!

Someone tying up their ice skates while sitting on ice

That’s Chemistry!

Discover the informative chapters of That’s Chemistry! Each chapter explains a chemistry concept and gives numerous ideas for activites to support students’ learning.