ABSTRACT

How can a potato be a battery?

How quickly will a shark find you?

What food should you take with you when climbing a mountain?

The Really Useful Book of Secondary Science Experiments presents 101 exciting, ‘real-world’ science experiments that can be confidently carried out by any KS3 science teacher in a secondary school classroom. It offers a mix of classic experiments together with fresh ideas for investigations designed to engage students, help them see the relevance of science in their own lives and develop a passion for carrying out practical investigations.

Covering biology, chemistry and physics topics, each investigation is structured as a problem-solving activity, asking engaging questions such as, ‘How can fingerprints help solve a crime?’, or ‘Can we build our own volcano?’ Background science knowledge is given for each experiment, together with learning objectives, a list of materials needed, safety and technical considerations, detailed method, ideas for data collection, advice on how to adapt the investigations for different groups of students, useful questions to ask the students and suggestions for homework.

Additionally, there are ten ideas for science based projects that can be carried out over a longer period of time, utilising skills and knowledge that students will develop as they carrying out the different science investigations in the book.

The Really Useful Book of Secondary Science Experiments will be an essential source of support and inspiration for all those teaching in the secondary school classroom, running science clubs and for parents looking to challenge and excite their children at home.

part I|204 pages

Experiments 1–101

chapter 4|2 pages

Observation: Are all fats the same?

chapter 6|2 pages

Observation: How do apples decay?

chapter 14|2 pages

Pattern seeking: Where do daisies grow?

chapter 28|2 pages

Modelling: Can we build a model of DNA?

chapter 30|2 pages

Modelling: Can we build a bug hotel?

chapter 32|2 pages

Observation: Can a solid turn into a gas?

chapter 33|2 pages

Observation: Where should we dig for oil?

chapter 34|2 pages

Observation: What colour are M&Ms?

chapter 39|2 pages

Fair testing: Can we prevent rusting?

chapter 58|2 pages

Modelling: Can we grow a crystal garden?

chapter 59|2 pages

Modelling: Can we build our own volcano?

chapter 64|2 pages

Observation: What do waves look like?

chapter 66|2 pages

Observation: How do gases move?

chapter 73|2 pages

Fair testing: Can we stop radio waves?

chapter 75|2 pages

Pattern seeking: Can you break a spring?

chapter 86|2 pages

Modelling: Can we cook food using the sun?

chapter 87|2 pages

Modelling: Can we make our own camera?

chapter 88|2 pages

Modelling: How can a potato be a battery?

chapter 89|2 pages

Modelling: Can we build a catapult?

chapter 91|2 pages

Modelling: Can we make a crash helmet?

chapter 91|1 pages

Healthy teeth

chapter 93|2 pages

Desert island survival

chapter 94|2 pages

Environmental survey

chapter 95|2 pages

Set design

chapter 96|2 pages

Olympic science

chapter 97|2 pages

Chocolate lab

chapter 98|2 pages

Scene of crime investigation

chapter 99|2 pages

Fairground games

chapter 100|1 pages

Aeroplane design

chapter 101|2 pages

What's the weather like?