Adder

 Computing understanding Boolean logic gates. We created an adder using some logic software and turning tumbles, as well as creating the circuit using a BBC Microbit controlling physical chips to light LEDs - at this scale, a computer chip would be miles across.

Burning Candles

Which candle will go out first when we put the beaker on top? Is it the volume of the stacking candles making the flame go out, or is it the height?  Height made a difference. The high candle always went out first with the same volume used up. Why might that be? All big problems for year 8 chemistry.

 

Drop Counter

Using the @Pascoscientific drop counter with the Chemistry sensor, the pH sensor, and the temperature sensor to determine the changes when an Acid reacts with an Alkali.

 

Maths Practice

 Getting in plenty of Maths Practice. The best way to improve at Maths is to do lots of practice. I have many papers that go back over 40 years, although some of my A-level students struggle with the oldest O-level papers.

Laplace Apparartus

 

The Laplace apparatus is an excellent start to electromagnetism. Plug in, and the rod moves. Why is the question? The answer is to motivate students to look up and learn about a topic as we get started. And it always seems to work even for the reluctant.

Learning Aseptic Technique

The students are learning to sterilise, make and pour their own plates, ready to pour a culture of bacteria that they can then test with different concentrations of natural antiseptics such as mint and garlic.

First Network

My first Network was at British Shipbuilders teaching on BBC B computers with an Econet Network. Controlling screens and all controlled by a Second Processor Unit on the Master computer.

All the computers had word processor and spreadsheet chips which I had to burn onto EEPROMS using a EEPROM controller.

The BBC computers were linked to a couple of printers , a dot matrix and a daisy wheel printer.

We even had a modem to access Prestel and the early internet. In the days before the web and the browser, we used email and IRC to chat and FTP to access files.