Practical teaching resources

Practical videos

Practical videos | 14–16 years

Videos of core practical experiments for flipped learning, remote teaching or revision

Practical videos | 16–18 years

Videos of key practical techniques and apparatus for revision, flipped learning or remote teaching

Exhibition chemistry

Spectacular demonstrations

Show thermodynamics and kinetics at play in this redox reaction

Use methylene blue to demonstrate UV light energy overcoming a kinetic barrier with this variation on the two-faced reaction

A new twist on a classic photochemical demo

Replace thionine with methylene blue to give the two-faced redox demonstration a modern makeover

Demonstrations

The reaction between zinc powder and sulfur

A spectacular practical demonstration to show the differences between elements, mixtures and compounds

Diffusion of colour in water | Johnstone’s triangle worksheets | 11–14 years

Use this worksheet to develop learners’ understanding of diffusion as they observe coloured dyes diffusing in water

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

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

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Global experiments

Engaging hands-on group activities, adaptable for all ages and fully resourced

Measuring vitamin C in food

The art of crystallisation

Water and hydrogels

Chemistry in sport

Mission starlight

Measuring vitamin C in food
The art of crystallisation
Water and hydrogels
Chemistry in sport
Mission starlight

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Class practicals

Thin-layer chromatography and analgesics | 16–18 years

In this investigation learners use thin-layer chromatography to separate and identify over-the-counter medicines

A practical investigation of cis-trans isomerism in transition metal complexes

Investigate isomerism in transition metal complexes with this experiment, including pre- and post-lab questions

Chromatography challenge | 16–18 years

Explore analytical techniques and their applications with a chromatography investigation and research activity

Paracetamol book | Using thin-layer chromatography to investigate the reactions

In this activity you investigate the purity and identity of your laboratory prepared samples of nitrophenol or paracetamol using thin-layer chromatography

Paracetamol book | The reduction of a nitro group to an amine

Nitro group reduction into an amine is covered in this practical class experiment.

Paracetamol book | The quantitative analysis of various formulations of paracetamol

An experiment to show learners to analyse several different formulations of paracetamol and create and quantitative judgment of them.

Paracetamol book | The preparation of paracetamol

The first of three steps, in practical experiments, that show learners how to prepare paracetamol

Changing the properties of polymers and plastics

Learners consider how changes to polymers, for example adding plasticisers or cross-linking, affects the properties of the objects made from the polymers.

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