Laboratory based home-education science classes in Barnstaple, North Devon
** Next sessions will be in 2026 **
Introductory Lab Session for Home-Ed
Suit ages 11+
NEXT DATES TBC
Petroc College Lab, Barnstaple, EX31 2BQ
Suit ages 11- 15 approx and parents can either drop off or stay and support their child (no charge for parents staying!)
Experiments & activities include:
- good laboratory practice
- use measuring equipment properly to record accurate data
- safely use a bunsen burner & flame tests practical
- pipetting tiny volumes using autopipettes
- physical vs chemical changes & making copper sulphate crystals to keep
- endothermic/exothermic reactions investigation
- microscopy & preparing samples
- booklet of the experiments to take away
KS3 Lab Skills Course – 6 week course, 2 hrs/week
next dates: spring 2026
at Petroc College, Old Sticklepath Hill, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 2BQ.
CONTENT:
Week 1) Laboratory safety. Pipetting. Microscopy & sample prep.
The first week we will introduce the lab, and the typical equipment found within it. We will go over lab safety rules. Youngsters will get hands-on using auto pipettes needed to transfer tiny volumes of liquid. They’ll learn how to use microscopes and prepare samples for microscopy and carry out some simple stains.
Week 2) Chemical reactions.
This week is about chemistry and what a chemical reaction really is. We’ll understand energy transfer, see endothermic, exothermic, oxidation & displacement reactions. Students carry out a displacement reaction and there will be some demonstrations. Students will practise word equations.
Week 3) Enzymes. Bunsens.
This week is all about catalysts, and enzymes, the biological catalysts. We’ll carry out an experiment to explore the factors that affect their function and why. This week we will be using Bunsen burners so students will learn how to operate them properly.
Week 4) Chromatography. Diffusion.
Students learn about chromatography and the various different kinds and carry out an investigation to identify the components of a mixture. We will practise calculating RF values. The passive process of diffusion will be introduced in preparation for next week.
Week 5) Microbiology. Antibiotic testing.
Tiny invisible microbes are the topic of this week’s lesson. We will get the microscopes out again to view bacteria at a 1000X magnification, but we’ll need to stain them first! We also carry out the disc diffusion experiment using aseptic technique (bunsens again) to see which chemical compound kills our sample of safe bacteria.
Week 6) Osmosis. Flame tests.
Osmosis is a special kind of diffusion that will be discussed in this last lesson. We’ll carry out an experiment to show what happens to plant cells when the osmotic pressure is changed. For this we will need to use laboratory balances accurately. Will we revisit Bunsen burners by carrying out the flame test and analysis of various metals.
Practicals for iGCSE Biology
A 5 week course, 2hrs 15 mins/week (includes break)
A 2 hour lab based session, once a week for 5 weeks suitable for 12 year old and older.
DATES: 2026 dates tbc
CONTENT:
Week 1 – Food tests, Calculating energy in food using bunsens
Week 2 – DCPIP (calculating vitamin C content), Factors affecting enzyme activity,
Week 3 – Action of immobilised enzymes, Microscopy techniques, Observing diffusion & osmosis,
Week 4 – How surface area affects diffusion, Factors affecting transpiration, Light intensity & photosynthesis
Week 5 –Respiration in animals, Using quadrats
Testimonials
Your lessons have been incredible this year, I went from a child leaving school hating science and not wanting anything to do with it, to a child that really enjoys getting stuck in and experimenting and exploring. Thank you for giving him enjoyment from science and lots of laughs and smiles.
- Ruth was brilliant at engaging my daughter in the home ed biology lessons, Danielle really enjoyed them and Ruth was happy to help and answer everyone's questions. looking forward to joining more Home ed sessions in the future.
I've loved doing my home ed biology lessons with Ruth they were really fun she answered all my questions and didn't rush.Thank you for a fantastic week of science!! Jack has really enjoyed himself and will deffo be recommending. See you in March for the next club.
- Ruth’s science sessions have been wonderful for my children recently and they have all got so much from them. It really brings the fun of science to life for them and makes them enthusiastic about it. So much so that when my daughter had a day at school recently where they had to dress as what they would like to do when they are older she went as a scientist!!Actually we have been so impressed with the sessions that we booked Ruth for my daughters birthday party and the kids all had a ball. Ruth’s enthusiasm for the subject is infectious. I would highly recommend her sessions as well as the birthday parties! They are also amazing value for money.
Lots of fun, engaging activities and enough repetition of the sciency bit to make it stick. Thanks Ruth, we will be doing more of your classes for sure!
Each session had three really fun and engaging activities, well taught and explained. None of the activities were “duds” or time fillers and my daughter was inspired to follow up each session with further investigation. The sessions were well priced and we are sad they have come to an end
Love that home educators are deliberately catered for with daytime classes available, and Ruth is great at engaging with the children
My two sons have completed their first Crest Award and I can’t recommend Ruth highly enough! They have learnt so much, had incredible fun and blossomed! We LOVE LOVE LOVE Sciencedipity
