This article describes low-cost well plates that can be used as alternative kits for microscale experiments. Although ordinary well plates are useful and convenient for microscale experiments, they are not cheap. We have developed well plates composed of plastic bottle caps with approximately 3cm diameter and cardboard containers. Plastic bottle…

The Next-Lab project provides free web-based resources supporting teachers in enhancing students' learning experiences. By including online laboratories, experiments otherwise difficult or impossible to perform are facilitated (e.g. crashing meteoroids into Earth). This article briefly presents the project and opportunities offered to teachers and…

The double-wall paper cup is an everyday object that can be used in the laboratory to study heat transfer. The experiment described here has been done by physics students aged 12-13 years; it can also be used in a different context to prompt debate about environmental issues.

Natural products are ubiquitous in nature but do not form a large proportion of the A-level syllabuses in the UK. In this article we briefly discuss a small selection of natural products, focusing on alcohols, aldehydes and ketones, and alkaloids. We then outline two natural product experiments that are suitable for A-level chemistry clubs or…

We often say that food and fuels "contain" energy, whereas energy is stored in the fuel-oxygen system generated during photosynthesis. This article suggests revised approaches to teaching that make a clear distinction between matter (food, fuel, oxygen) and energy. (Contains 1 table, 5 boxes, and 6 figures.)

Discusses five experimental methods used by senior high school students to provide an accurate calibration curve of magnet current against the magnetic flux density produced by an electromagnet. Compares the relative merits of the five methods, both as measurements and from an educational viewpoint. (JR)

Presents experiments, demonstrations, activities and ideas relating to various fields of biology to be used in biology courses in secondary schools. Among those experiments presented are demonstrating the early stages of ferns and mosses and simple culture methods for fern prothalli. (HM)

Describes a laboratory method suitable for senior high school classes for investigating possible mechanisms of catalytic function. The Harcourt-Essen reaction is used to demonstrate a catalytic process that can be investigated quantitatively by standard kinetic methods. (JR)

Suggests that the Friedel-Crafts reaction, used for synthesizing a wide range of aromatic compounds, is an ideal vehicle for extended senior high school project work in chemistry. Provides a theoretical discussion of the reaction, suggests a number of suitable investigations, and outlines the experimental details. (JR)

Describes experiments, demonstrations, activities and ideas relating to various fields of chemistry to be used in chemistry courses of secondary schools. Three experiments concerning differential thermal analysis are among these notes presented. (HM)

Discusses the importance of ethene (ethylene) in industry and the pipeline grid in western Europe for transporting ethene. Describes methods for investigating organic compounds in school laboratories using ethene as the key compound. (JR)

Discusses holography, a process by which a three-dimensional image of an object can be completely recorded on a photographic film or plate. Introduces hologram theory with a view to presenting it to senior high school students, and explains how the apparently very great experimental difficulties can be overcome. (JR)