Catherine Smith
Catherine is chemistry lead at The Hinckley School, an 11–18 academy in Leicestershire. She has taught for nearly 20 years in the state sector and has had many roles, including advanced skills teacher and head of science. In 2011/12, the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) appointed Catherine as a school teacher fellow to the University of Leicester where she worked on projects to support the transition from A-level to undergraduate chemistry studies. During this time, she co-authored the popular Starter for 10 activities and the series of Problem based practicals. Catherine has been a coach on the RSC ITT Scholarship programme since the RSC first established it and is perhaps best known for her love of the methane rocket demonstration.
ResourceElements, compounds and mixtures | Key terms support | 14–16
Key terms list, accessible glossary, Frayer models and unscrambling definitions provide comprehensive language support for this topic
FeatureWhy school trips matter
Build positive relationships, raise learners’ science capital and bring a fresh perspective back to the classroom
ResourceElements, compounds and mixtures | Key terms support | 11–14
Language support pack for elements, compounds and mixtures, with key terms list, accessible glossary, Frayer models and unscrambling definitions
IdeasCombine stories and demos for wow lessons
Weave storytelling into classroom practicals to deepen engagement and understanding
PosterCommercial applications of chromatography
Show post-16 students how the analytical techniques they learn in the classroom have real-world applications with this poster and fact sheet
Games and puzzlesAtoms, molecules and ions 4-in-a-line
Match the symbol or the particle diagram to the type of particle it represents. Get 4-in-a-line to win!
ResourceDecision tree: what type of bonding? | 14–16 years
Use this decision tree to help your learners find answers to questions about structure and bonding by scaffolding their thinking
IdeasScaffold learning with decision trees
Help students unravel complex topics with a decision tree – a visual support you can gradually remove
ResourceDecision tree: acid, base or buffer? | 16–18 years
Help learners understand which equation they need to answer questions about acids, bases and buffers by scaffolding their thinking
CPD articleHow to teach solubility at 14–16
Concentrate learners’ minds on the key aspects of solutions
CPD articleTeaching isomerism at post-16
Ensure your students succeed with structural and stereoisomerism
ResourceA practical investigation of cis-trans isomerism in transition metal complexes
Investigate isomerism in transition metal complexes with this experiment, including pre- and post-lab questions
CPD articleTeaching structure and bonding in metals at 14–16
Help your learners to master the fundamentals of metallic bonding
PosterHow to teach the Earth’s structure for younger students
Get to the core of the Earth’s composition with this poster, fact sheet and classroom activity
ResourcePatient prognosis | Problem based practical activities
Dilution, colorimetry and observation skills come together to get students to adapt their chemical knowledge to support medicine.
ResourceCompound confusion | Problem based practical activities
Explore the use of analytical methods and empirical formula to identify unlabelled chemicals.
ResourceCool drinking | Problem based practical activities
Support students to discover the correct chemical compound to achieve a desired effect on a product, in this case a drinks container.
ResourceIodination inquiry | Problem based practical activities
Gather data and determine the rate equations for certain reactions with this class practical.
ResourceAcid erosion | Problem based practical activities
Remember to brush up on acid erosion with this experiment into the effects of different acid concentrates on tooth enamel
ResourceCoursework conundrum | Problem based practical activities
Explore the oxidation of alcohols and carboxylic acids, to help a student in this experiment scenario