Dalton atomic model - R2P

This resource provides a lesson plan showing how a history-based approach can be used to teach a simple Dalton atomic model.

The research summary suggests a history-based approach improves pupils' understanding of atomic theory. Elements of this research are utlised within the lesson plan to show how and why atomic models have changed over time and how scientific theories are changed as more infomation becomes available.

By the end of the lesson pupils should be able to:

• explain how and why the atomic model has changed over time
• give examples of scientific theories that have been revised or replaced as more information comes to light
• demonstrate how new empirical evidence is used to either support or refute existing scientific models. 

This resource is part of a collection of research informed secondary science lesson plans produced as part of the Research-2-Practice (R2P) project undertaken by research teams at the University of Roehampton, University of Lincoln, York St John University and KYRA research school, between 2020 and 2021, which was funded by Wellcome.

The overall aim of the project was to enhance the quality of teaching and learning in science by giving time-pressed teachers quick and easy access to relevant research to inform their practice and provide exemplar lesson plans to show how the research could be used in the classroom. More resources can be found here.