Krucible Virtual Science Lab. From Kar2ouche. Age range: Activity packs for 11-18. Cost: pound;549 for site licence plus pound;99 per activity pack.

www.kar2ouche.com

Bring your interactive whiteboard to life with Immersive Education’s virtual science laboratory, Krucible.

Teachers or students can run pre-set experiments in activity packs such as the excellent wave tank simulation. These allow quick, impressive demonstrations with quality graphics.

Even this uses only a fraction of Krucible’s abilities. It stands out because it offers true simulations that allow experimental parameters to be changed and the results viewed in real time.

Experiments can be saved, copied into presentations, e-mailed or used to plot graphs. Due for launch this summer, the activity packs cover waves, energy and forces, with more on the way.

Krucible is a powerful learning tool but, with such a hefty price tag, heads of science may want to wait to see the full range before spending their e-learning credits.

Stand G21

Smartstuff website

From 4Learning. Age range: 11-plus. Cost: free access to website, videotapes pound;19.99 per lecture. www.channel4.comsmartstuff.

Channel 4‘s Smartstuff website explores the molecular world and how scientists can mimic nature to create new materials. Looking like a computer game, the main activity allows students to see how polymers are made, find out about high-tech materials and discover ways to reduce pollution.

Scripts of this year’s Royal Institution Christmas lectures can also be found on the site. Fascinating and a great teaching resource, each lecture is available on video. They range from the molecular structure of a spider’s web to cryogenics.

Stand D40

Chambers School Science Dictionary

Age range: 11-18. Cost: pound;9:99 hardback.

From aardvark to zygote, this dictionary has them all. With more than 400 colour photographs and drawings, definitions are clear and use the appropriate level of language.

Tables, charts and full-page entries complement the vocabulary to provide a quick reference to subjects such as the periodic table, solar system, photosynthesis and SI units. The tips on report writing, essays and Internet searches should be read by all pupils. A worthwhile addition to any library or lab.

Stand PV122

Ideas to Go: Science experiments

From Aamp;C Black. Age range: eight-12. Cost: pound;12:99 per book

Often the simplest ideas are the best. Assemble a range of short, stimulating activities linked clearly to the science curriculum and put them into two inexpensive books. Aimed at eight to10 and 10 to12-year-olds, Science Experiments are an excellent teaching resource.

Each book contains starter activities to begin a lesson or introduce a topic. Photocopiable experiments provide a focus for the whole lesson and challenges pose questions for individual or group investigations.

Teacher notes give advice on safety and comprehensive guidance on usage.

Simple, straightforward and very useful.

Stand PV200