Christmas is nearly here - and here is an early Christmas present for all you hard-working science teachers! I have put together a multiple choice quiz round based on science discoveries made during the past year, or planned for the near future. It should be suitable for all secondary pupils from 11 to 18 years as a starter - or at the end of a lesson. If you like it, why not check back for my full lesson Christmas quiz/activity PowerPoint? Merry Christmas to all!!

Complete lesson PPT with learning outcomes, new knowledge and activities detailed on the slides. There are also links to video-clips by VEA - Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants - and David Attenborough's Private Life of Plants. The resource is designed to be used with the Activate B1 3.7 Practical Sheet (Successful Seeds). A student table for the practical work is included in the resources supplied as well as worksheets for fertilisation and germination. The lesson is ready to go and is designed to support pupils aiming for developing and secure outcomes. All pupils should be able to state what is meant by fertilisation in plants; most pupils should also be able to describe the process of fertilisation and how fruits and seeds are formed; whilst some pupils should, in addition, be able to make and record observations in a table, calculating the percentage of seeds germinated. Keywords include fertilisation, seed, fruit and germination.

Complete lesson PPT with learning outcomes, new knowledge and activities detailed on the slides. This is the first lesson in the 'Working Scientifically' section. The resource is designed to be used with the Activate activity sheet, Asking Scientific Questions, and to support pupils aiming for developing and secure outcomes. All pupils should be able to state some questions that can be investigated; most pupils should also be able to describe how scientists develop an idea into a question that can be investigated; whilst some pupils should, in addition, be able to identify independent, dependent, and control variables. Supporting information can be found on page 2 and 3 of the blue Activate 1 KS3 Science Textbook.

Complete lesson PPT with learning outcomes, new knowledge and activities detailed on the slides. There is also a link to a 5 minute video with excellent graphics from Nucleus Medical Media. The resource is designed to be used with the Activate B1 3.3 Activity Sheet (Fertilisation and Implantation). A student table is included to be used with the plenary slide. The lesson is ready to go and is designed to support pupils aiming for developing and secure outcomes. All pupils should be able to state the definition of gametes and what is meant by fertilisation; most pupils should also be able to describe the structure and function of the gametes; whilst some pupils should, in addition, be able to describe the process of fertilisation. Keywords include gamete, fertilisation, cilia, ejaculation, embryo, and implantation.

Complete lesson PPT with learning outcomes, new knowledge and activities detailed on the slides. There is also a link to the video-clip, Teen Facts - Growing Pains. The resource is designed to be used with the Activate B1 3.1 Activity Sheet (Changes during Adolescence) and B1 3.1 Activity Sheet 2 (Statement Cards) which together make up the activity. The lesson is ready to go and is designed to support pupils aiming for developing and secure outcomes. All pupils should be able to state what adolescence and puberty are; most pupils should also be able to state changes to the bodies of boys and girls during puberty; whilst some pupils should, in addition, be able to describe the main changes which take place during puberty. Keywords include adolescence, puberty, and hormones. Further information and pupil activities can be found on pages 40 and 41, of the blue Activate 1 KS3 Science Textbook.

Complete lesson PPT with learning outcomes, new knowledge and activities detailed on the slides. The resource is designed to be used with the Activate B1 2.6 Practical Sheet (Investigating Muscle Fatigue). A plenary 'fill the gap' pupil sheet is included which can be used in conjunction with the plenary slide. The lesson is ready to go and is designed to support pupils aiming for developing and secure outcomes. All pupils should be able to state what is meant by antagonistic muscle groups; most pupils should also be able to state the function of the major muscle groups; whilst some pupils should, in addition, be able to describe the function of the major muscle groups. Keywords include tendon and antagonistic muscles. Further information and pupil activities can be found on pages 36 and 37, of the blue Activate 1 KS3 Science Textbook.

Complete lesson PPT with learning outcomes, new knowledge and activities detailed on the slides. The lesson includes a link to an interactive resource, 'Name the main parts of the human skeleton'. The resource is designed to be used with the Activate B1 2.4 Activity Sheet (Build your own skeleton) and the Activate B1 2.4 Activity Sheet (Build your own skeleton) template. A pre-drawn Table of Functions is included to support students where needed. The lesson is ready to go and is designed to support pupils aiming for developing and secure outcomes. All pupils should be able to name the main parts of the human skeleton; most pupils should also be able to list the functions of the skeletal system; whilst some pupils should, in addition, be able to describe the structure of the skeleton. Keywords include bone, skeleton, support, protect, and bone marrow. Further information and pupil activities can be found on pages 32 and 33, of the blue Activate 1 KS3 Science Textbook.

Complete lesson PPT with learning outcomes, new knowledge and activities detailed on the slide. The resource is designed to be used with the Activate B1 2.1 Information Sheet(Organ Systems) and the Activate B1 2.1 Activity Sheet (Organising a Body). The lesson is ready to go and is designed to support pupils aiming for developing and secure outcomes. All pupils should be able to state what is meant by a tissue, an organ and an organ system; most pupils should also be able to list the organs found in a given organ system and state the function of the system; whilst some pupils should, in addition, be able to explain the hierarchy of organisation in a multicellular organism. Keywords include multicellular organism, tissue, organ, organ system. Further information and pupil activities can be found on pages 26 and 27 of the blue Activate 1 KS3 Science Textbook.

Complete lesson PPT with learning outcomes, new knowledge and activities detailed on the slides. There is also a link to the BBC Bitesize video-clip, Fertilisation, narrated by David Attenborough. The resource is designed to be used with the Activate B1 3.2 Activity Sheet (Male and Female Reproductive Systems), B1 3.2 Teacher and Technician Notes, and pages 42 & 43 of the blue Activate 1 KS3 Science Textbook. A student table is included to be used with the plenary slide. The lesson is ready to go and is designed to support pupils aiming for developing and secure outcomes. All pupils should be able to name the main structures of the male and female reproductive systems; most pupils should also be able to state a function of the main structures of these reproductive systems; whilst some pupils should, in addition, be able to describe the main structures in the male and female reproductive systems. Keywords include sperm cell, testes, scrotum, semen, egg cell, ovary, oviduct, and uterus.

Complete lesson PPT with learning outcomes, new knowledge and activities detailed on the slides. The resource is designed to be used with the Activate B1 2.5 Practical Sheet (Forces for Lifting). The Activate B1 2.5 Support Sheet, which includes a results table and a graph grid with pre-labelled axes, can also be used in conjunction with this PPT where needed. The lesson is ready to go and is designed to support pupils aiming for developing and secure outcomes. All pupils should be able to state where joints are found in the body; most pupils should also be able to state how a muscle exerts force during movement; whilst some pupils should, in addition, be able to describe the role of the joints. Keywords include biomechanics, joint, cartilage, ligament, and Newtons. Further information and pupil activities can be found on pages 34 and 35, of the blue Activate 1 KS3 Science Textbook.

Complete lesson PPT with learning outcomes, new knowledge and activities detailed on the slides. Also included is a Plant & Animal Cells Worksheet. Although the resource was originally designed to be used with the Activate B1 1.2 Practical Sheet (Making an onion slide) it has been adapted so it can be used on its own, either in classroom or online. The lesson is ready to go and is designed to support pupils aiming for developing, secure & extending outcomes. All pupils should be able match some components of cells to their functions; most pupils should be able to describe the similarities and differences between plant and animal cells; whilst some pupils should be able to explain the functions of the components of a cell by linking them to life processes. Keywords include nucleus, cell membrane, cytoplasm, mitochondria, respiration, cell wall, vacuole, and chloroplast. Further information and pupil activities can be found on pages 16 and 17 of the blue Activate 1 KS3 Science Textbook.

Complete lesson PPT with learning outcomes, new knowledge and activities detailed on the slides. This is the fourth lesson in the 'Working Scientifically' section. The resource is designed to be used with the Activate activity sheet, Analysing Data. It is targeted at pupils aiming for developing and secure outcomes. All pupils should be able to state what is meant by a line of best fit; most pupils should also be able to list what should be included in a conclusion; whilst some pupils should, in addition, be able to find a pattern in data using a graph or a chart. Keywords include analyse, line of best fit, and conclusion. Supporting information and Summary Questions can be found on pages 8 and 9 of the blue Activate 1, KS3 Science Textbook.

Complete lesson PPT with learning outcomes, new knowledge and activities detailed on the slides. This is the third lesson in the 'Working Scientifically' section. The resource is designed to be used with the Activate practical sheet, Collecting & Presenting Data, and for pupils aiming for developing and secure outcomes. All pupils should be able to state an example of how data can be recorded; most pupils should also be able to add data to a graph or chart; whilst some pupils should, in addition, be able to describe how to make and record observations and measurements. Keywords include outlier, mean, line graph, pie chart, and bar chart. Supporting information and Summary Questions can be found on pages 6 and 7 of the blue Activate 1, KS3 Science Textbook.

Complete lesson PPT with learning outcomes, new knowledge and activities detailed on the slides. The resource is designed to be used with the Activate B1 3.4 Activity Sheet (Development and Birth). A gestation worksheet is included as a consolidation task with the plenary taking the form of a True/False quiz. The lesson is ready to go and is designed to support pupils aiming for developing and secure outcomes. All pupils should be able to state the definition of gestation and how long pregnancy lasts; most pupils should also be able to describe what happens during gestation; whilst some pupils should, in addition, be able to describe what happens during birth. Keywords include gestation, foetus, placenta, umbilical cord, and fluid sac. Supporting information can be found on pages 46 and 47 of the blue Activate 1 KS3 Science textbook.

Complete lesson PPT with learning outcomes, new knowledge and activities detailed on the slides. This is the fifth lesson in the 'Working Scientifically' section. The resource is designed to be used with the Activate activity sheet, Evaluating Data. It is targeted at pupils aiming for developing and secure outcomes. All pupils should be able to state how to evaluate data; most pupils should also be able to describe the stages in evaluating data; whilst some pupils should, in addition, be able to suggest ways of improving a practical investigation. Keywords include evaluate, confidence, random error, and systematic error. Supporting information and Summary Questions can be found on pages 10 and 11 of the blue Activate 1, KS3 Science Textbook.

Complete lesson PPT with learning outcomes, new knowledge and activities detailed on the slides. This is the second lesson in the 'Working Scientifically' section. The resource is designed to be used with the Activate activity sheet, Planning Investigations, and to support pupils aiming for developing and secure outcomes. All pupils should be able to state what should be included in the plan for an investigation; most pupils should also be able to identify data as accurate or precise; whilst some pupils should, in addition, be able to describe a risk assessment. Supporting information and Summary Questions can be found on pages 4 and 5 of the blue Activate ,1 KS3 Science Textbook.

Complete lesson PPT with learning outcomes, new knowledge and activities detailed on the slides. There is also a link to a great video-clip - The Beauty of Pollination. The resource is designed to be used with the Activate B1 3.6 Activity Sheet (Flower Dissection). A flower diagram is included for students to label. Plant organ resources are also included: plant organ function descriptions (to be printed out and placed around the room) and a Plant Organs student table. The lesson is ready to go and is designed to support pupils aiming for developing and secure outcomes. All pupils should be able to recall the parts of a flower and state what is meant by pollination; most pupils should also be able to use appropriate techniques to dissect a flower into its main parts; whilst some pupils should, in addition, be able to describe the process of pollination. Keywords include petal, sepal, stamen, anther, pollen, filament, carpel, stigma, style, ovary, ovule, and pollination. .

Complete lesson PPT with learning outcomes, new knowledge and activities detailed on the slides. The lesson includes the balloon-in-a-bell-jar demonstration as a model for breathing. The resource is designed to be used with the Activate B1 2.3 Access Sheet(Measuring the volume of the lungs) although necessary resources and results table are included on the slides. The lesson is ready to go and is designed to support pupils aiming for developing and secure outcomes. All pupils should be able to state what happens to the ribcage during inhaling and exhaling; most pupils should also be able to state what each part of the bell jar model represents; whilst some pupils should, in addition, be able to describe the processes of inhaling and exhaling. Keywords include contract, diaphragm, lung volume and asthma. Further information and pupil activities can be found on pages 30 and 31, of the blue Activate 1 KS3 Science Textbook.

Complete lesson PPT with learning outcomes, new knowledge and activities detailed on the slide. This lesson includes an animation link together with associated differentiated question sheets, practical work and a role play. The resource is designed to be used with the Activate B1 1.4 Practical Sheet (Observing Diffusion). The Activate B1 1.4 Support sheet provides a blank table for the practical work although a table is included in the PPT. The lesson is ready to go and is designed to support pupils aiming for developing and secure outcomes. All pupils should be able to state simply what diffusion is; most pupils should be able to make measurements of diffusion, identifying ranges and intervals used; whilst some pupils should also be able to name some substances that move into and out of cells. Keywords include diffusion and concentration. Further information and pupil activities can be found on pages 20 and 21 of the blue Activate 1 KS3 Science Textbook.

Complete lesson PPT with learning outcomes, new knowledge and activities detailed on the slide. The resource is designed to be used with the Activate B1 1.5 Practical Sheet (Observing Amoeba and Euglena) which includes questions to test understanding. The Activate B1 1.5 Support sheet provides a writing frame for the practical work and includes a diagram of a euglena to label. The lesson is ready to go and is designed to support pupils aiming for developing and secure outcomes. All pupils should be able to identify some structures in an amoeba; most pupils should also be able to identify some structures in a euglena; whilst some pupils should, in addition, be able to describe what a unicellular organism is. Keywords include unicellular, amoeba, euglena, and flagellum. Further information and pupil activities can be found on pages 22 and 23 of the blue Activate 1 KS3 Science Textbook.