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.