iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Catherine Smith @catsmi.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

We’ve booked to take our Y8s to the Big Bang Fair in June. I’d be interested to hear if any schools have some good strategies for how to ensure the students get the most from the visit - so much to see and do.

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Catherine Smith @catsmi.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

How can you make Chemistry the best department in school? Tell a story with an added WOW factor for National Story Telling Week 2026 of course 💥 edu.rsc.org/ideas/combin...

edu.rsc.org

Combine stories and demos for wow lessons

Weave storytelling into classroom practicals to deepen engagement and understanding

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Reposted by Catherine Smith

Education in Chemistry @rsc-eic.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

🔥 A jaw-dropping demo can spark curiosity, but how do you keep that flame alive? Discover the secret to turning excitement into lasting learning 💡 edu.rsc.org/ideas/combin... #iteachchem

edu.rsc.org

Combine stories and demos for wow lessons

Weave storytelling into classroom practicals to deepen engagement and understanding

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Catherine Smith @catsmi.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

Delighted to see this go live. Looking forward to using it with Y13 to compare the different types of chromatography and introduce them to how the techniques are used in industry. #chatchemistry

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Catherine Smith @catsmi.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

What analogies do you use to help students understand collision theory? Love the idea of children playing in a playground mentioned in this article. #iteachchem

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Catherine Smith @catsmi.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

Are your Y13s struggling to decipher exam questions on acids and bases? Download the revision tree from this resource to help them with those last minute revision panics. #Alevel #Chemistry

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Catherine Smith @catsmi.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

First time in several years I’ve taught the rock cycle. Time for a game or two of ‘Roll N Rock’ with Y8. Any misconceptions about there being just one route round the rock cycle busted! edu.rsc.org/infographics...

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Reposted by Catherine Smith

Education in Chemistry @rsc-eic.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

Concentrate 14–16 learners' minds on solubility with this article by @catsmi.bsky.social full of ideas and teaching strategies #SciTeachUK #scienceteachers #teachingtips edu.rsc.org/cpd/how-to-t...

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Catherine Smith @catsmi.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

Does anyone know if there is a way to change the settings on the new version of the Casio Classwiz so that the x10^ in a number in standard form is bound to the number? Alternatively does anyone have recommendations for the best calculator for non-mathsy A-level students?

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Reposted by Catherine Smith

Norfolk Research School @norfolkrs.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything! For some slightly more educational information on atomic structure and tips on how to teach it, read @chemDrK's article here - buff.ly/3CDZF2q

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Reposted by Catherine Smith

Niki Kaiser @nikika.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

My latest article for @rsc-eic.bsky.social on how to teach atomic structure at 14-16 includes common misconceptions to look out for (and the RADAAR resource I developed at @theeef.bsky.social ) edu.rsc.org/cpd/how-to-t...

edu.rsc.org

How to teach atomic structure at 14–16

Strengthen your students' grasp of the atom and electronic configurations with these models and strategies

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Catherine Smith @catsmi.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

Great to see this go live. Do have a look at the linked resource if you’re about to teach transition metals; a nice practical with synoptic questions covering the different types of isomerism from across the curriculum.

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Catherine Smith @catsmi.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

We’re watching Digging for Britain. The potter has just referred to iron oxide as a molecule. Sigh.

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Catherine Smith @catsmi.bsky.social · 05/01/2025

Straight back to teaching tomorrow with a 5 period day; Y9, Y8, Y11, Y10 and finishing with Y13 being introduced to buffers. Wish me luck ;-0

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Catherine Smith @catsmi.bsky.social · 15/12/2024

Excellent suggestions in this blog for simple tweaks to your lesson that can help improve learning.

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Catherine Smith @catsmi.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

Some great advice for teaching Conservation of Mass at 14-16 in this article. Discussion of the foundational work of Kanada is an excellent example of how to add diversity to the curriculum #chatchemistry edu.rsc.org/cpd/teaching...

edu.rsc.org

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Catherine Smith @catsmi.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

This pen is a game changer. I’ve had the same board pen for 8 wks and refilled 4 times, each time as good as new. So nice not to be throwing away plastic every few weeks ;-)

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Catherine Smith @catsmi.bsky.social · 16/09/2024

For years I’ve taught about SA linked to rates but students have got confused because they can’t see that the overall amount doesn’t change. This year I made a cube from play dough and we calculated the SA. We then chopped the same cube into 8 and recalculated. All misconceptions vanished!

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Catherine Smith @catsmi.bsky.social · 01/09/2024

When teaching about bonding in metals what do you call the black spheres in the images in the article? Atoms…..but they are charged? Ions……but has the electron been fully lost? Atomic cores? As teachers do we add to student misconceptions with the models we introduce? edu.rsc.org/cpd/teaching...

edu.rsc.org

Teaching structure and bonding in metals at 14–16

Help your learners to master the fundamentals of metallic bonding

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