A fun practical activity that introduces the idea about accuracy of measurement and using the appropriate piece of equipment. The teacher sheet is backed up by a worksheet for students. It is aimed at keystage 3 students but is likely to be useful for less able keystage 4 students.

Here are details of a practical investigation into the role of salt in preserving food that is simple to carry out and doesn't require much equipment. The results are quick and easy to analyse. To follow up there is a worksheet probing further into salt and human health where students calculate how much of the recommended daily intake is contained in various foods.

These three resources are intended to help students be clear about the differences between the two types of cell division. The Venn diagram activity should promote thinking and discussion and will allow teachers to spot misconceptions. There is also a colouring in worksheet where students identify the types of cells in each division and a simple fill in the gaps sheet. These would also be good revision tools

This is a hands on activity to help students consolidate and fully understand these important ideas. Students pass around pictures of 9 different types of cell and then complete the grid on the student sheet to show which of the genes listed will be switched on in that cell type. There is also a plenary activity designed to reveal any student misconceptions along with some teacher notes, with a link to a great animation which will explain the concept clearly to non-specialists

This introduction to the senses is a good introduction to the topic for keystage 3 students and also suitable for foundation students at keystage 4. There are instructions for a series of demonstrations and mini-practicals to investigate the human senses that are not easy to carry out but they are fun and thought provoking. Also in this package are student instructions for practical work to test the sensitivity of the skin along with a results table for them to record their findings.

After a discussion about what constitutes a species, students study pictures of ladybirds and record their observations. They decide how many different species of ladybirds they think there are. They then classify each of the pictures again using an ID chart and compare their findings.

A teacher led demonstration activity to help students understand how errors in measurement are inevitable. The accompanying worksheet allows students to record the errors as they occur in the demonstration and then provides an opportunity to think through what they learnt.

It's hard to find much practical work to do around food chains. Here's a very active demonstration that turns into a student race and brings home all the key ideas that students need to understand. It's accompanied by a crossword puzzle.

Here students consider the genetic and environmental causes of variation by building a model human. Students enjoy making the models which make clear the different types of variation. There is a worksheet to use as a follow up to the activity which extends the key ideas and promotes thinking.

A very visual way of appreciating the carbon cycle and a great introduction to climate change. This board game shows carbon atoms cycling around the natural environment. It moves around the 3 main stores (plants, animals and the atmosphere) according the the roll of a dice, but overall stays in balance. However, when the game is repeated (by skewing the number of atoms that move for one number on the dice) the cycle goes out of balance. There is a sheet for students to record the movement of the atoms and notes for the teacher as well as Word and pdf versions of the board which can be printed onto A4 card of laminated.

This group of activities provides a fun and active way to introduce cells including building squidgy model cells. It includes investigative work to find out the conditions that cells need to grow best. All the activities are backed up by student worksheets.

Whilst students play top trumps with these well designed cards (supplied in word and pdf format), they will learn much about molecular structure and formulae as well as finding out about how living organisms use the molecules. A great starter activity, students enjoy the game and learn a lot along the way.