Learning Resources

Explore our Science

Up-to-date articles on the Department's research activities.

Green Chemistry

An article researched and written by Isabel Williams, a former Masters Student at Oxford, explaining how using chemistry to help reach sustainability goals is becoming an increasingly attractive research area.

Introducing our DPhils

A series of short videos featuring a number of our DPhil (PhD) students. In each, they share their academic journey and give a brief overview of their research and why it matters.

Life-changing chemical research at Oxford

In this short video journalist Sue Saville talks with members of the Department to discover how innovative research in chemistry has positive and sustainable impacts in the real world.

Regenerative Medicines

OxStem, a spin-out company from the University of Oxford, is developing an innovative new approach to the future treatment of diseases with high unmet need, such as Alzheimer's disease, cancer, blindness and heart failure.

Global Food Security

Pioneering research between the University of Oxford and Rothamsted Research has led to the development of a new compound that could transform crop yields of all kinds.

ChilliPot and other Sensors

The success of University of Oxford chemists in using electrochemical sensing to detect the spiciness of chillies has led to the recent development of new sensors for garlic, turmeric and ginger.

Good Sense

Research from Oxford has revealed details of the chemistry which humans use to sense changes in oxygen availability, opening the way to breakthrough treatments for diseases ranging from anaemia to cancer.

Oranges to Grapefruits

Research into the action of natural enzymes is finding a commercial application in the global flavours and fragrances market.

Oxford Sparks

Short videos explaining the work of Oxford scientists, with associated teaching material for KS3-KS5

Capturing Carbon Dioxide with Wastewater

DPhil student Victoria Atkinson (Robertson Group) gives a brief outline of the work of the O'Hare group in turning a wastewater by-product into a climate change combating material.

Springboard

A series of videos bringing you cutting-edge research from Oxford's graduate students.

Improving Medicines with Carbon Propellers

A self-directed study resource on the use of propellanes in medicinal chemistry.

Mass Spectrometry: An Analytical Heavyweight

An infographic on the use of mass spectrometry.

Making the Transition to University Chemistry

A companion guide for students as they take the significant step from school to university, setting them up to be confident and successful in their chemistry studies.

Introductory Reading for the MChem Chemistry

A suggested reading list for students about to start their MChem course at Oxford.

Stealing Ideas from Nature

Alum Dr Victoria Atkinson gives a brief outline of how biological 'toolkits' can be used by chemists.

Putting the Pieces Together

Alum Dr Victoria Atkinson gives a brief outline of natural product synthesis.

Ammonium Nitrate, a simple fertiliser, or dangerous explosive?

Alumnus Alan Tyldesley (Trinity, 1974) draws on his expertise as a Chartered Fire Engineer to uncover ammonium nitrate's explosive history.

The Conversation: Articles on Chemistry

The Conversation is an independent source of news and views, sourced from the academic and research community and delivered direct to the public.

Good Reads: Chemistry

A list of popular chemistry books

University College Reading Bank

The bookshelves of the Univ Reading Bank are packed with book reviews by Univ students (and a few tutors thrown in for good measure.) They’ve chosen books which they either read before they came to Oxford, or they wish they had.

Worcester College Bookshelf Project

A project designed to encourage the sharing and review of books that are enjoyed in each subject. Not all Chemistry books.

Science in School

An online journal for science teachers.

New Scientist

Although a subscription magazine, there is limited access to articles on the website without a subscription.

The Scientist

Although a subscription magazine, there are free newsletters and access to articles on the website.

Chemistry World

A wide range of articles and podcasts on offer. Registration required to access a limited number of articles per month. (£) Subscription provides wider access.

The Oxford Scientist

A science magazine run by Oxford students. There are also regular Science Writing Competitions for school students.

Things We Don't Know (TWDK)

Things We Don’t Know (TWDK) is a UK-based science education company, which seeks to help improve the public understanding of science and dedicated to explaining the questions to which science still seeks answers.

RSC SaFE Chemical Allsorts

A series of short and snappy two-page fact sheets for students of chemistry called ‘Chemical allsorts’ and developed by the RSC Secondary and Further Education Interest Group.

Royal Institute Christmas Lectures

A set of engaging lectures. Searchable by topic and lecturer.

Wothers.com

An engaging series of online videos of lecture-demonstrations from Cambridge University’s Chemistry Department.

BBC iPlayer

Indulge your curiosity with a wide variety of documentaries on Science and Nature.

TED Talks - Chemistry

Online talks on a whole host of topics related to Chemistry.

Periodic Table Videos

A video about each element on the periodic table. The channel has other videos on science news, interesting molecules and other aspects from the world of chemistry.

Christmas Chemistry Show 2010

Part of the Science Christmas Lectures 2010, join chemists Dr Hugh Cartwright and Dr Malcolm Stewart to find out just how much fun chemistry can be.

Royal Society YouTube Channel

Curated by playlist, a whole set of engaging videos and clips.

The Naked Scientists

Podcasts and articles on the latest scientific breakthroughs.

Theoretically Speaking

Podcasts discussing the latest research in theoretical chemistry, including interviews with leading academics. Produced by PhD students in the TMCS Centre for Doctoral Training at Oxford University. Includes work by academics from other institutions.

Science Friday

An approachable, wide-ranging podcast offering fun and educational stories on science, technology and more.

PhET Interactive Simulations

PhET sims are fun, interactive, research-based simulations of physical phenomena developed by the PhET project at the University of Colorado.

CLEAPSS YouTube Channel

A large number of clips detailing practical work developed to support teachers. CLEAPSS suggest these can be used as demonstrations. For those with CLEAPSS membership (£), there is a guidance document (GL339) which provides descriptions and hyperlinks for specific clips

RSC Screen Experiments

Practice your experimental techniques out of the lab using the RSC’s interactive screen experiments.

Chemical Demonstrations for Teachers

A series of short videos from our colleagues at the University of Bristol developed to support teachers in setting up and delivering chemical demonstrations to support learning in the classroom.

Extraction, Separation and Identification of Curcuminoid Pigments in Turmeric

Student practical script for Extraction, Separation and Identification of Curcuminoid Pigments in Turmeric.

TLC-MS Video

Video footage of the TLC-MS in the 6ドル M Analytical Suite of the Chemistry Teaching Laboratory at the Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford.

Build your own LEGO Spectrophotometer

Instructions for building your own LEGO spectrophotometer

LEGO Spectrophotometer: Investigating the Kinetics of Brilliant Blue Dye (E113)

Student practical script, Teacher PowerPoint, Excel spreadsheet.

LEGO Spectrophotometer: Investigating the Concentrations of Tartrazine Dye (E102) and Brilliant Blue Dye (E133) in a popular drink

Student practical script.

LEGO Spectrophotometer: Investigating the Concentration of Quinoline Yellow WS Dye (E104) in Cough Sweets

Student practical script.

LEGO Spectrophotometer: Investigating the Concentration of Brilliant Blue FCF Dye (E133) in a Sports Drink.

Student practical script, Teacher PowerPoint.

Build your own LEGO Polarimeter

LEGO Polarimeter: Student Scripts I

Student practical script for Investigating Sugar Stereochemistry

Organising Templates

A set of excel templates used by Senior Technician Julie Bishop in the organisation of technical support for the school chemistry classroom. Please note, any reference to health and safety/disposal is accurate at 8th July 2022. Any users must ensure they are checking against up-to-date guidance. We advise teachers and technicians to refer to either the CLEAPSS website or SSERC website for up to date health and safety information. We assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to persons or property that may occur as a result of using the information contained in these resources.

The Make Kit: Conductivity Sensor

Our thanks to Senior Technician Matt Wilson for sharing this template with us.

The Make Kit: Electrolytic cell

Our thanks to Senior Technician Matt Wilson for sharing this template with us.

The Make Kit: Microscale distillation apparatus

A link to the CLEAPSS guide to making microscale distillation apparatus. Membership required.

Thinking 3D

Teacher resources to support teaching of allotropes of carbon, an exploration of shapes and mathematics, the use of models as well as Oxford Chemistry research on fullerenes.

Thinking 3D: STL files for the 3D carbon allotrope models

Thinking 3D: Link to STL files for the platonic solid models

Creative Chemistry Crests

Enjoyed our Creative Chemistry Tent activity? You can try this at home with our comprehensive guide and templates.

Bread Bonanza

A yummy all-age kitchen experiment to determine the importance of all the steps in making bread.

Fizzy Boats

Could we power a boat using a simple chemical reaction? An easy all-age fun investigation.

Jellies and Enzymes

Why not explore how different fruits affect the setting of jelly with an easy kitchen chemistry investigation. Aimed at primary age pupils, but suitable for the curious of any age!

To Salt or Not To Salt?

How does cooking with salt affect the taste of vegetables? An easy all-age kitchen chemistry investigation.

Felt Tip Friends

Make your very own colourful friends using felt tips and simple chromatography. A great creative chemistry activity aimed at primary aged pupils.

Float and Sink

Test out your own predictions and see what makes objects float or sink. An ideal investigation for primary aged pupils.

Food Indicators

An all-age kitchen experiment testing the acidic and basic properties of common household items using natural indicators found in the kitchen.

Icy Delight

Learn how to make your own ice cream using the principles of melting and freezing. An easy kitchen experiment perfect for all ages.

Magic Rainbow

Why not use densities of solutions to create a beautiful rainbow in a glass? A colourful all-age experiment

Run Liquids, Run

Create your very own Olympic race to crown the fastest liquid in your house! Aimed at primary pupils, but apt for curious pupils of all ages.

Secret Stoppers

Explore ways to use chemistry to make and read secret messages. Aimed at primary school pupils, but great for an inquisitive mind of any age!

Water Walk

Watch as water defies gravity in this colourful at home experiment. Ideal for all-ages, particularly primary aged pupils.