The particulate nature of matter - R2P

This resource provides a lesson plan showing how to use enquiry based instruction to teach the particulate nature of matter. The approach used in the lesson is based on education research which is summarised in a separate research summary document.

The lesson leads pupils through a series of activities. Pupils are then asked to explain, pictorially, verbally or in written form their observations using particle theory. These responses highlight pupil misconceptions which need to be addressed.

The research summary discusses how a lack of deep understanding of the particulate nature of matter constrains the understanding of subsequent science concepts and the common misconceptions pupils have about the topic.

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

• describe all matter as being made up of particles
• explain that particles move in all directions
• explain how temperature affects the speed of movement of particles
• explain that particles exert forces on each other and on the walls of containers

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.