The activities in this section encourage children to investigate and observe different phenomena through play. This builds towards the UK Key Stage 1 and 2 curriculum requirements.

As with everything on this website, all the resources have a Creative Commons licence so you are free to use and adapt anything. Please do attribute us so that we can spread awareness of our ChemBAM project.

All the online resources have a key to give you some information about the activity:

	How messy is the activity?
	How long will it take?
	Cost

Teddy goes camping

This activity encourages children to think about different materials and their properties. Children explore a range of objects and describe how they feel and what they are made of. They then test three different materials as tents for a rainy camping trip and reflect on which material worked the best. This activity can also be used to lead into a discussion on recycling.

Curriculum Topics: Working Scientifically, Everyday Materials, Uses of Everyday Materials

Jelly seaweed

In this activity, children use pipettes to add a seaweed extract (sodium alginate) to a solution containing calcium. The result is jelly-like beads or worms. The activity introduces the concepts of reactions and the use of scientific apparatus. The children enjoy exploring the unusual texture of the ‘jelly’ beads.

Curriculum Topics: Working Scientifically

Melting

In this activity, children explore melting of ice, jelly and chocolate. They then learn that something doesn’t have to be cold to melt – introducing the concept that melting involves warming something up.

Curriculum Topics: States of matter



Icons by Alfa design, Iain Hector and Icon Island at the Noun Project.

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