Teaching GCSE science requires the perfect blend of theoretical learning and practical experiments. As an educator, knowing the right experiments to teach children or demonstrate in class can be challenging. You want to choose lessons which are going to fit with the syllabus, be memorable for everyone, and really make the learning come alive.
At SciChem, we specialise in laboratory equipment and we supply many educational institutes with the right tools for teaching. NaRiKa are a popular brand that we partner with, and they manufacture lots of great equipment which is used in GCSE science experiments. NaRiKa have shared with us some of their top GCSE experiments, so next time you are stuck for a lesson plan, check these out.
Who Are NaRiKa?
NaRiKa have been creating exciting science lessons for all ages since 1918, and their century of experience has made them one of the best in the business. Their teams are super passionate about helping children learn about the universe we live in, and they are totally committed to cultivating a passion for science education. NaRiKa develop products to help young people explore science in an exciting way and they aim to ignite children’s desire to learn.
NaRiKa’s GCSE Science Experiments
These are just a handful of NaRiKa’s specially created science experiments for GCSE students:
#1 Density
In this experiment, students learn how to use the right laboratory equipment to make and record the measurements required to determine the densities of solids and liquids. Using NaRiKa’s block set, students can realise the different densities of various materials. The set includes an aluminium block, a steel block, a plastic block, and wooden block. These can be compared by hand or by using weighing scales to measure their weight difference.
The density experiment using blocks is a quick lesson which teaches students all about the relationship between mass, volume, and density of various materials. As each block is exactly the same size, they will easily be able to experience first-hand the differing weights of the materials.
#2 Force And Extension
The force and extension experiment focuses on acceleration and helps students develop the Apparatus and Techniques (AT) skills. Using the ICT enabled Dynamic cart from NaRiKa, alongside the BeeSpi V light gate, students will learn to measure motion, including the determination of speed and rate of change of speed. Students should use the metallic cart and measure it’s acceleration and deceleration using the BeeSpi V light gate. There is also a holding rod for this device which enables learners to fix the light gate at specific angles or heights.
This experiment is easy to complete with all GCSE students and there is no need for a PC connection when using the light gate for speed measurements. It allows speed data to be measured and analysed in a STEM manner. Two BeeSpi V light gates can be used together for measuring acceleration or energy.
#3 Investigating Electrical
Students can learn to use their own circuit diagrams to construct circuits. In this experiment they will investigate I-V characteristics of a range of circuit elements such as a resistor, a filament lamp, and a diode. NaRiKa’s DC Ammeter is small and light enough to connect to any circuit, and the two alligator clips are built in to the main body of the device for ease of use. Other devices for this experiment are the DC Voltmeter, cement resistors, knife switches, and miniature bulb holders.
The measurements are clearly displayed on digital screens with a plus or minus sign, and there is a one push start function for quick measurements. During this experiment, students can make their own trial and error mistakes to learn how all the components work. Thanks to the safety of the NaRiKa devices, there is no chance of damage from a wrong connection or human error for measurement ranges.
#4 Resistance
Similarly to the above electrical experiment, this lesson uses circuit diagrams to teach resistance. The same circuit equipment can be used, as well as the Genecon, a handheld DC generator device. With this piece of kit, students can generate electricity for their circuits by just turning the handle. Multiple Genecons can be used together to power equipment if needed.
Students can experiment with different energy levels by turning the handle at different speeds. They will learn how to use appropriate apparatus to measure current, voltage, and resistance, and discover the various elements of a circuit. This experiment is great for teaching how to accurate record measurements, meeting AT1 skills.