This is one of our "Skills for Science" which supports 11-16 year olds with the development of softer skills of How Science Works. They are all focused around practical tasks and then focus on a area, such as planning experiments, experimental safety, data collection and mathematical analysis and evaluation. They are ideal for the new GCSE Science specifications in the UK and more general aspects of wider science education in the USA. All are high quality and well supported with images and relevant contexts.

A series of 2 or 3 lessons that address separation techniques: filtration and paper chromatography. The filtration uses a mixture of sand, iron filings and water and for chromatography you need filter paper chromatography strip and a suitable colors of felt tip or highlighters. There are frames provided for students to record their learning on and a second copy for teachers to complete for peer-assessment. The lesson is ideal for learners between 8-14 years of age in science or classroom settings. Please also complete your own risk assessment, specifically around the solvent for chromatography: in my practical I used ethanol as it dissolves pigments in pens. Alternatively, you could try water for water-soluble pens and inks, if necessary. All images are obtained using creative commons licence or my own images.

A series of 2 or 3 lessons that address separation techniques: filtration and paper chromatography. The filtration uses a mixture of sand, iron filings and water and for chromatography you need filter paper chromatography strip and a suitable colors of felt tip or highlighters. There are frames provided for students to record their learning on and a second copy for teachers to complete for peer-assessment. The lesson is ideal for learners between 9-14 years of age in science or classroom settings. Please also complete your own risk assessment, specifically around the solvent for chromatography: in my practical I used ethanol as it dissolves pigments in pens. Alternatively, you could try water for water-soluble pens and inks, if necessary. All images are obtained using creative commons licence or my own images.

Basic KS3 activity and resources for collecting and testing of Carbon Dioxide and Hydrogen. Starts with a Periodic Table task on metals and non-metals. Please do your own risk assessment and leave feedback and comments. Also follow @boostprogress and @CE4ET.

A series of PPTs that support an introduction to acids and alkalies for KS3. There are a couple of well described practicals testing pH of solutions, simple neutralization and the indigestion tablet practical. There is also a short assessment to finish off the topic at L4+ and L5+. All objectives leveled and linked to SOLO taxonomy. As always follow @boostprogress or @CE4ET and leave feedback.

These resources for L4+ focus on the changes between states of matter and were supported by a decent video, three practicals of melting ice and Salol and extracting Salt from Rock Salt. There is also a display task at the end. Please do your own risk assessments. These resources are just the basics for building your own lesson plans. As always please leave feedback and follow @boostprogress and @CE4ET.

Good practical starter for KS2 and KS3 groups looking at the burning of tea candles in gas jars (or containers) of different sizes. Ideal for younger groups new to practical tasks and there is plenty of scope to introduce key terms, such as variables and reliability. Also some activities at the end for line graphs and means. As always do your own risk assessment and follow @boostprogress and @CE4ET. Please leave comments and feedback.

A nice PPT to use with KS3 or KS4 Foundation groups and based around demonstrating the reactions of Li, Na and K with water and oxygen. Also some good video and website links to explore. Look out for an error on reactions website word equation between Li and water...but it is corrected on my PPT. The lesson links to Group 0 up next. You do of course need your own risk assessment or could miss the practicals and use the videos (boo). Any suggestions for improvment are welcomed. You can follow me @boostprogress.

L4 to L6 exploration of different models of the particle theory. Requires students to do some extended descriptions and to evaluate three different diagrammatic models. Finishes with an evaluation of six substances that are challenging to classify - these may also be given to students to add a practical/kinesthetic aspect. There is also link to SOLO taxonomy to help with the progression mapping. As always provide feedback and you can follow me @boostprogress

L5+ and Includes a nice practical that can be done outside of a laboratory. Students make a simple lava lamp from dyed water and oli. Supported by great video resource from BBC Christmas lectures and for progression links to SOLO taxonomy and Literacy Steps (STEM Centre). There is a great picture starter! Seeing it is believing!!! Please feedback and reviews of how this lesson went as I am trying it out for my own QA!! Comments or emails would be greatly appreciate don this one.

L5+ and Includes a nice practical that can be done outside of a laboratory. Students use a basic reaction between vinegar and bicarbonate of soda to investigate the particle theory of air. Supported by great video resource from BBC Christmas lectures and for progression links to SOLO taxonomy and Literacy Steps (STEM Centre). Please feedback any suggestions of improvements. You can also follow me on @boostprogress

This lesson follows on from 'The Egg' for teaching solids, liquids and gases in a contextual way. The focus is Felix Baungatners(?) high altitude heroics (?) and the idea of his suit and capsule being a 'man-made&' egg. The lesson covers covers L3 to L6 and good progress is possible by looking back across both lessons and redrafting written explanations. Basic lesson attached as usual and please suggest improvements or additions. Follow me on twitter @boostprogress

This lesson follows on from 'The Egg' for teaching solids, liquids and gases in a contextual way.\n\nThe focus is Felix Baungatners(?) high altitude heroics (?) and the idea of his suit and capsule being a 'man-made&' egg. The lesson covers covers L3 to L6 and good progress is possible by looking back across both lessons and redrafting written explanations.\n\nBasic lesson attached as usual and please suggest improvements or additions. Follow me on twitter @boostprogress

Basically a take on the caffeine practical getting pupils to drink water, decaffeinated or caffeinated cola and then test reaction times online. You could alternatively use the ruler drop or compare with ruler for precision work.Students plan and then implement, then review and improve their plans. Great fun and there is a diamond 9 card sort activity to identify the key control variables. The drinking of water also helps to introduce control tests properly. Can be tailored to cover from L3 to L8 easily.You can also follow me on twitter @boostprogress

I came up with this lesson to teach solids, liquids and gases in a contextual way by using a chicken's egg as a practical focus. Give the pupils an egg and find the solids, liquids and gases, where and why are they present and link to some high brow science with the explanations and links to particle theory. This lesson covers L4 to L6, and can be changed to go beyond. Basic lesson attached as usual and please suggest improvements or additions. Follow me on twitter @boostprogress