IChemE encourages hands-on science demonstrations

School science teachers are being urged not to fear breaking health and safety rules and re-introduce exciting and engaging practical demonstrations to the classroom.

Judith Hackitt, chair of the health and safety executive (HSE), at Bacon's College in London, alongside Dr David Brown, chief executive of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), encouraged more hands-on science demonstrations in schools.

Hackitt and Brown both performed 'The Flaming Hands', one of the safe, risk-assessed science demonstrations included in IChemE Top 10 Flash Bang Demos.

The demo campaign was launched last year after the schools and learning minister, Jim Knight, called for 'more flash-bang science in the classroom'.

Since its launch in October, the demonstration videos have been downloaded from the 'whynotchemeng' website more than 11,000 times, and the supporting instruction sheets more than 8,000 times.

The demonstrations are designed to encourage science teachers to add a greater practical focus to lessons and Brown said that better science lessons means better student uptake in further education.

Since the campaign launch, applications to study the subject have risen by over 70 per cent and student intake has doubled.

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