Science outreach: activities and resources

Projects, activities and resources for science outreach and STEM clubs

Are you planning an outreach session for your students or at another school? Looking for ideas to use in a science club? Putting together an off-timetable day?

Explore these outreach projects and activities, including resources produced as part of the RSC’s Chemistry for All project.

Any questions or suggestions? Email us.

Science competitions your students can enter this year

An image showing two cups of coffee with Cupid wings on them

Speed date your way to successful school-industry partnerships

An illustration of people climbing DNA strands out of lab equipment

Raise your students’ aspirations

Smashing science stereotypes
How to solve a murder
Science competitions your students can enter this year
Speed date your way to successful school-industry partnerships
Raise your students’ aspirations

Three children looking in different directions, surrounded by illustrations of things using chemistry, including a mobile phone, an electric car, solar panels and more

Source: © Sam Falconer @ Début Art

Chemistry for All

The Chemistry for All project explored and addressed barriers to participation in UK chemistry undergraduate study through longitudinal research. Read findings relevant to outreach providers, education policymakers, teachers and parents in the Chemistry for All summary report.

The project found providing learners with the opportunity to take part in hands-on practical lessons, engagement with science extracurricular activities and showing how science relates to everyday life were all positively associated with learners’ aspirations to continue with non-compulsory science and chemistry. Discover some of the outreach resources used by Chemistry for All activity providers below.

Chemistry for All

Three children looking in different directions, surrounded by illustrations of things using chemistry, including a mobile phone, an electric car, solar panels and more

Source: © Sam Falconer @ Début Art

Projects

Longer, practical projects suitable for off-timetable science days in schools, university campus visits or to take place over several chemistry lessons or STEM club sessions.

Nanoparticles in sunscreen challenge | Chemistry for All project | 14–16 years

Make your own sunscreen and determine its SPF using UV light transmission

Hard water challenge | Chemistry for All project | 14–16 years

Investigate the relationship between the concentration of calcium ions and the ‘hardness’ of water

Chemistry at the crime scene investigation | Chemistry for All project | 11–14 years

This forensic science project uses chemical analysis and observation skills to investigate a crime and solve the case

Analysing the chemistry of food | Chemistry for All project | 14–16 years

Analyse food and drink samples using TLC, titration and visible absorption spectroscopy with this engaging project

Bonding workshop | Chemistry for All project | 14–16 years

A series of activites, demonstrations and experiments exploring simple covalent molecules and hydrocarbons

Organic molecules day

Students produce and analyse a simple aromatic compound using analytical techniques. Includes kit list, safety instructions and suggested timings

Photolithography

Students use light to create their own printed circuit boards. Find the kit list, safety instructions and suggested timings in the download

Chemistry of dentistry

Learn about the role of chemistry in dentistry. Includes kit list, safety instructions and suggested session timings

The salt cellar mystery

Support learners to investigate using chemistry, with the salt cellar mystery. Includes kit list, safety instructions and session timings

Chemistry masterclass

Undertake the work of a medicinal chemist by isolating an active compound. Find the kit list, safety instructions and session timings in the download

Murder in the lab

Give students a flavour of analytical techniques used in forensic science. Find the kit list, safety instructions and suggested timings in the download

Escape the classroom

Be inspired to design an escape room experience for students with these chemistry related puzzles

Activities

Shorter, approximately one-hour long, resources for use in STEM clubs, timetabled lessons, as part of a collapsed/off-timetable day or as an outreach activity. Select from non-lab or lab-based activities and find the equipment you need in the downloads.

Non-lab activities

Quicksand investigation | 14–16 years

Discover the properties of non-Newtonian fluids and how these could help you escape from quicksand

Modelling large molecules | 11–14 years

Use this resource to review monomers and polymers

Baking investigation | 11–14 years

Discover the purpose of each ingredient and test methods used to make cupcakes

Encapsulation experiment | 11–14 years

Investigate encapsulation and the role it plays in helping probiotics travel to the gut

Edible experiments

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

Make a molecule

Learn about the types of molecules found in fruits and sweets, as well as how molecules are formed

Colourful chemistry

Get colourful with chemistry with these experiments, perfect for learners to explore density and liquids

Chromatography: how black is a black pen?

Black never goes out of style, and with this experiment learners can explore what colours go into making black ink with chromatography

Magic sand

Putting the magic in magic sand this resource explores hydrophobic substances and how they work

Crime scene chromatography

Using three different black pens, learners can put their scientific curiosity to use and explore chromatography

From kitchen to classroom

Non-lab based activities for primary learners, including videos, equipment lists and instructions

Lab-based activities

Investigating the sugar content and pH of fizzy drinks | 11–14 years

Compare fizzy drinks’ ingredients, acidities and health implications

Salt (for cooking) activities | 11–14 years

Uncover the properties and health implications of salt in our diets

Custard experiment | 11–14 years

Introduce your learners to Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids as well as the explosive nature of powders

Infection | 11–14 years

Introduce your learners to infection and how to treat some infectious diseases

Investigating cold reactions | 11–14 years

Explore what is meant by ‘cold’ and the applications of endothermic reactions

Extracting DNA experiment | 11–14 years

Remove and compare genetic material in different plant cells

Emulsifiers in cleaning | 11–14 years

Investigate and explain what emulsions are and their applications in cleaning

Cross-linking polymers – alginate worms

With a collection of equipment easy to find in your classroom, learners can form alginate polymer ‘worms’ and explore cross-linking polymers

Colour chemistry

A variety of experiments that explore colour changing, so learners can experience a comprehensive look into the brighter side of chemistry

Electrochromic polymer

Can polymers conduct electricity as well as metals? Using this experiment, learners will discover how the two materials differ. Includes kit list and safety instructions

Green plastics

Discover more about the science of green plastics with this in depth session on bio-plastics and the issues around fossil fuels

Sunlight to electricity

Sunlight can be a powerful natural tool. Learners can explore the science of solar in this experiment, includes kit list and safety instructions

Chemistry in your shopping basket

Demonstrate the diversity of chemistry in our day-to-day lives with this collection of experiments. Includes kit list and safety instructions for five practicals

Snap, crackle and snot

Investigate some of the weird and wonderful properties of solids, liquids and gases, in this range of experiments

Careers

The Chemistry for All project found that recognising the value and importance of chemistry, and appreciating how chemistry can lead to interesting and well-paid jobs strongly related to learners’ future aspirations.

Explore how chemistry can prepare learners to pursue apprenticeships, university courses and vocational routes, or browse job profiles and try our career options game on A Future in Chemistry. You can also find careers information for STEM ambassadors, together with presentations and other resources to help you support young people.