Year 5/6 teacher David Aston shows us how to encourage children to behave like scientists and separate materials by solving a mystery - just what are the ingredients of Alien Soup? His class uses sieves, filter paper and magnets to discover the answer. Meanwhile Sam Harvey demonstrates how, with simple ingredients from the kitchen cupboard, you can create a stunning irreversible change that leaves pupils open-mouthed. She also explains how this activity can be used to improve their prediction skills. The Snowman's Coat is also an idea which involves children predicting. Will putting a coat on a snowman keep him colder? Or warm him up so he melts? Kate Widdowson's Year 2 class test it out using ice cubes and socks. Year 5 teacher Lucy Blackmore rounds up with a DIY Lava Lamp idea using raisins and lemonade which encourages children to think like scientists when faced with an unexpected outcome.

Video Series: Great Lesson Ideas
Release Date 2009