Chiral molecules

 Students seem unconvinced about chiral molecules. Drawing them on paper they argue, but once they play with the @snatoms models they are more convinced, and once they see the rotation of D-glucose they are convinced they are mirror images of each other.

Centripetal Force - The Video

 Investigating centripetal force

A Level Maths

Is A Level Maths needed for A level physics - from years of experience the answer is yes and further maths too should be a requirement if university physics is the aim, but I still have many students who don't chose maths and struggle as a result of this.

How hot is that

 

The infrared thermometer is possibly one of the most popular tools in the lab. The Students use it not just for the experiment s in hand but also at looking at the varying temperatures of everything in the lab.

Lego Gravity

 Measuring the acceleration due to gravity using a @lego brick. Pretty accurate and repeatable results. I like give students various alternate ways of doing the same experiment and it shows how things can be measured and achieved in different ways

Chemistry Revision

 For some reason a lot of my students wanted to do Chemistry revision yesterday. Covering all that chemistry in just a few minutes - Fun but frightening. #iteachchemistry

3D Magnetism

I suppose it is because magnetism is taught to younger children that they often don't realise that magnetic field are three dimensional and only when I get out these do they realise what and how magnetic fields are.

Moles and things

I never understand why it takes such a long time to introduce moles. The students seem to find it hard because many other alternatives are used to almost explain moles away, do why do we have to use grams per cubic litre?

Centripetal Force

Centripetal Force depends on the speed at which the object is rotated - its angular speed and the length of the string ( its radius) and its mass of course.

 

New Locktronics

To try and make practicals quicker and easier and more informative locktronics by @MatrixTSL seem to be the answer. I used them as a student many years ago and these things have well stood the test of time and are still great for my students.

IR Spectrometry

 Investigating what bonds are. Looking at IR spectrometry to see just what is going on, inside organic molecules. Practical work with these machines is essential A level learning.

Using a lightbox

 Sometimes old school systems work well. We had some graphs to compare but they weren't on the computer, but were on graph paper. Using the old fashioned light box one shone through the other making the comparison simple.

Comparing the properties of oil fractions

 I have done this experiment many times and each time with this source of synthetic crude oil the first fraction burns and so does the second, but not the third of the fourth but the fifth and sixth do

How does the eye Focus

 A quick look at the Pasco Model Demo Eye

Digestive system in a bag

 It's the look of amazement on the students faces as they take the knitted digestive system out of the bag and discover the life size small intestine is 5m long

Using a Simple Model

 There seems to be nothing better than a simple model made of what ever comes to hand to demonstrate a concept in a more visual way. Sure I can draw this on the board, but when the students can get there hands on something then the learning increases.

Pasco Adjustable focal length lens

 Demonstrating the @pascoscientific adjustable focal length lens to show how the lens in the eye works. One of the best bits of kit I have used.

Salt structure

 Taking some of the atoms away from the models allows the students to better visualise the crystalline structure and see into the molecule.

A level Maths

Teaching is not just about teaching students about Maths but how to go about solving problems and sometimes by their very nature a new problem has to be explored to work out how to solve them. Learning strategies to solving problems is much more important.

Fractional distillation

Looking at crude oil and extracting the different fractions. The first fractions burnt well but subsequent fractions were impossible to light which surprised the students.

Wireless Smartcart with the Vector Display

Using the @Pasco smartcart with the Vector display is a good introduction to what is going on. Immediately the  vector quantity can be seen on a qualitative experiment before burrowing down into the actual numbers and working out the equations.

DNA

Taking a close look at DNA. The backbone and the way it is shaped related to how it functions. Then looking and modelling some histones to block the gene sites.
 

The ENG Button

 "I can't change into scientific notation", say the students then they meet the ENG function on the calculator that they have never noticed before.

Protein Synthesis

 Using the molymod models to figure out how protein synthesis works. Gave the Students all the bits and got them to work out how it works. Took a while but the achievement was great and the understanding was there. Figured out I need a much bigger model.

Mixing colours

 Whilst I had the @Pasco light out and some lenses, one of itd features is it has a three colour beam and putting this into a lens made white light. A good comparison when using the prism to split up light.

Monitoring Air Pollution

 Monitoring the air pollution in the classroom, using the @ThePocketLab air. PM2.5 at 42 which is not good

sin x and sin 2x

 Investigating sin x and sin 2x and the difference it makes when you manipulate graphs. Learning patterns and why things happen before the exams.

Revision of Covalent Bonds

 @snatoms are very quick to use with revision, quickly making up molecules of Carbon dioxide to demonstrate double bonds and single bonds making up ethanol

I would choose one of these in a heartbeat

I would choose one of these in a heartbeat - the stethoscope - measuring the students heartbeat. and mine proving that I was alive and not was some of the students thought part of the living dead. Also used the electronic one so the students could hear what they were supposed to hear.
 

Ores

 Looking at some ores. This is Peacock ore from Peru. The proper name is Bornite. It is a metal sulfide with the chemical composition Cu5FeS4. One of my prettiest ores.

Iron filings in 3D

Seeing old things n a new way is often what sparks off the imagination and the want and desire to find out new things in science. Using this 3D view of iron filings does just this. Leave it out in the lab for the students to find.

Organic Synthesis

 Starting the organic synthesis pathway diagram I was taught this by my Chemistry teacher some 40 years ago and it is still as relevant today.

Optics

 I find it a shame that some things creep out of syllabi. Less and less is done on optics and the students have little idea of the nature of lenses and images. In the Edexcel syllabus we spend time understanding why the candle was upside down on the screen.

Like and unlike charges

 Like charges repel and unlike charges attract

Looking at the converging lens

 These flat lenses work well with the @pasco light with its 5 ray beams. Working in a Light box the students can work in bright daylight and get excellent results.