Discover LabSkills

In January 2009, the RSC / Pfizer educational project Discover Chemistry launched Discover LabSkills, a two phase scheme for post-16 chemistry teachers.

Phase 1

600 PGCE Chemistry trainee teachers were provided with free access to AS LabSkills, the innovative practical chemistry teaching resource developed by Learning Science Ltd in collaboration with the Bristol ChemLabS CETL in the School of Chemistry at the University of Bristol.

This interactive web tool, which promises to revolutionise the way post-16 practical chemistry is taught, enables both trainee teachers and chemistry students to carry-out pre-work ahead of practical classes, so maximising the quality of the time they spend in the laboratory. In this way, the resource complements and enhances but does not replace practical classes and is expected to help develop excellence in experimental skills.

This is backed-up by the final report of an evaluation carried out by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER), which is available for download below.

Phase 2

Phase 2 began in September 2009 when a CD of the new, combined AS/A2 version of LabSkills was made available to the new cohort of 1000 PGCE chemistry trainees via their tutors for the duration of their training year. In addition to the expanded scope, this latest version includes several new elements to help trainee teachers and students revisit practical skills.

Free Access for All Chemistry Teachers

As a separate part of this second phase, the Discover LabSkills project presents all UK schools with free access to this teaching resource for a 3-month period via the web. This will give all chemistry teachers the opportunity to see this unique and inspirational software in action. Non-PGCE trainee teachers (e.g. GTP and TTT) are eligible to apply for access to the networked resource for the full 10 months.

If you are a chemistry PGCE trainee and you have not received a copy of this software, please contact Lorna Thomson giving your name, the University you are registered at and the school where you will be on placement.

Non-PGCE trainees teachers and UK schools: please use the LabSkills link below to register for your free access.