Cough Syrup

Embeds learning objectives from UKS2 science curriculum in real life context and supports development of children’s science capital and raises aspirations.

Cough Syrup produced by CIEC is a FREE resource aimed at KS2 children (9-11 years), Scientific topic: materials, Type of enquiry: comparative/fair tests

Following a request for help from a pharmaceutical company, children learn how scientists develop medicines. First, they explore the best conditions for growing the micro-organisms which are needed to produce the active ingredient in antibiotics. They then investigate the most effective and efficient way to collect the active ingredient that it is grown in before thinking about the ideal consistency for the syrup to be administered.

There is a list of the main vocabularly used in this resource which can be downloaded and used to pre teach key words, support children to talk about their science, and for assessment.

As well as an introduction to CIEC’s Cough Syrup resource which covers age range, context & activities and curriculum coverage, there are also free downloadable PDF activity sheets for both teachers and children linked to the following activities within the resource:

• Investigating food sources for microbes
• Investigating the effect of temperature on microbial growth
• Filtration
• Viscosity testing