Brian Cox school experiments - secondary level

Each topic in this series includes three videos:

Classroom video: In each classroom video, Professor Brian Cox and Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock join a teacher demonstrating a classroom experiment designed for the 11-14 age group. They cover equipment needed, risks to be aware of, and show the experiment being carried out in a real class environment. 

Industry video: The industry videos are in-depth interviews with STEM professionals working in industrial or commercial settings. Those featured are experts within their fields and are driving fascinating change in their respective areas. These videos offer insight into career pathways in STEM that may be unconventional or that students may not have considered. Each interviewee discusses their journey to their work, including the skills and qualifications required along the way. 

Research video: In these videos, we visit research laboratories across the country to interview scientists working at the forefront of their areas, as they give an introduction to their cutting-edge work. These videos offer students an insight into research careers and the skills needed to work in such fields.  

All of the experiments featured link directly to curriculum topics and are simple to carry out. The equipment needed is basic, and readily available, and the activities will engage students with practical science, aiding their understanding of curriculum topics.

The experiments

1. How does washing affect the number of fibres released from a fleece? This activity is based on an original activity, designed by the BBC for the Terrific Scientific series, who have kindly agreed to its use in the Royal Society Brian Cox School Experiments. Download the free resources (PDF). 
2. Do sun and shade plants have different rates of photosynthesis? This activity is based on an original activity, called Investigating Photosynthesis with Leaf Discs, designed by Science and Plants for Schools, who have kindly agreed to its use in the Royal Society Brian Cox School Experiments. Download the free resources (PDF).
3. Can we design a robotic arm?  This activity is based on an original activity designed by ESA and NASA who have kindly agreed to its use in the Royal Society Brian Cox School Experiments. Download the free resources (PDF).
4. What is the effect of data size on a sorting activity? This activity is based on an original activity, called All Sorted, designed by Oxford Sparks who have kindly agreed to its use in the Royal Society Brian Cox School Experiments. Download the free resources (PDF).
5. What is the best design for a wind turbine? This activity is based on an original resource designed by Practical Action for a British Science Association CREST award, who have kindly agreed to its use in the Brian Cox School Experiments. Download the free resources (PDF).
6. Does CO₂ affect the pH of seawater and how does acidity affect the strength of seashells?  This activity is based on an original idea designed by The Royal Geographical Society, in collaboration with The Goldsmiths' Company, who have kindly agreed to its use in the Royal Society Brian Cox School Experiments. Download the free resources (PDF).

All videos have been filmed and produced by Paul Olding, Dionysus Films.

Subtitled versions of the videos are also available on the Royal Society YouTube channel.

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