Step-by-Step Laboratory Practicals for IB, IGCSE & GCSE Science

Welcome to Practical Science — a free library of over 100 detailed laboratory practicals, study guides and revision resources for secondary school science students and teachers. Whether you are preparing for your IB Diploma, Edexcel IGCSE or GCSE exams, you will find clear instructions to help you succeed.

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This Week in Science

A weekly roundup of the biggest trending science stories — from breakthroughs in physics to new discoveries in biology and chemistry. Perfect for keeping up with the latest science news.

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  This Week in Science: Cosmic Volcanoes, Fossil Fakes, and the Genes That Shape Your Lifespan14/04/2026
  From a black hole erupting like a cosmic volcano to a 300-million-year case of mistaken identity, this week’s science news spans the universe — and the microscope. We’ve got breakthroughs in weight loss, male contraception, whale conservation, and even the secrets hidden in your DNA
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  This Week in Science: Gene Therapies, Martian Storms, and the Brain’s Aging Secret08/04/2026
  From a single injection that restores hearing to an AI system that thinks 100 times more efficiently, this week’s science stories are full of surprises. We also visit Mars, peer inside the ageing brain, watch ancient carbon spill from melting permafrost, and discover how sugarcane might save your teeth.
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  This Week in Science: Moon Missions, Mantis Strikes, and Molecular Surprises01/04/2026
  From a historic Moon launch to a collapsing freshwater migration and a QR code smaller than a bacterium, this week’s science headlines span the cosmos to the nanoscale. Meanwhile, chemistry labs delivered two surprise discoveries, and a new study reveals that female mantises pack a surprisingly powerful punch.

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Latest Posts

• 
  This Week in Science: Cosmic Volcanoes, Fossil Fakes, and the Genes That Shape Your Lifespan14/04/2026
  From a black hole erupting like a cosmic volcano to a 300-million-year case of mistaken identity, this week’s science news spans the universe — and the microscope. We’ve got breakthroughs in weight loss, male contraception, whale conservation, and even the secrets hidden in your DNA
• 
  This Week in Science: Gene Therapies, Martian Storms, and the Brain’s Aging Secret08/04/2026
  From a single injection that restores hearing to an AI system that thinks 100 times more efficiently, this week’s science stories are full of surprises. We also visit Mars, peer inside the ageing brain, watch ancient carbon spill from melting permafrost, and discover how sugarcane might save your teeth.
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  IBDP IA: Effect of Substrate Concentration on Catalase Activity: Michaelis-Menten Kinetics08/04/2026
  Catalase is one of the most efficient enzymes known, breaking down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen at rates of up to 40 million reactions per second. In this investigation, you will measure how the rate of catalase activity changes as substrate concentration increases, generating a Michaelis-Menten curve and allowing calculation of the maximum reaction velocity (Vₘₐˣ) and the Michaelis constant (Kₘ). This is a fully quantitative IB Biology HL Internal Assessment investigation. This practical is suitable for IB Diploma Biology HL and Edexcel IGCSE Biology.
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  IBDP IA: Simple Pendulum: Length vs Period and Determination of g08/04/2026
  The simple pendulum is one of the most studied systems in classical mechanics. By measuring how the period of oscillation changes with pendulum length, you can determine the local gravitational field strength g with remarkable precision from a school laboratory. The relationship T² ∝ L produces a clean linear graph whose gradient directly yields g, making this an ideal IB Physics IA for demonstrating rigorous uncertainty analysis. This practical is suitable for IB Diploma Physics HL and SL and Edexcel IGCSE Physics.

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IGCSE Prescribed Practicals

Complete step-by-step guides for every Edexcel IGCSE prescribed practical, with methods, safety notes, model data and analysis.

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Free IB Chemistry 2025 Online Textbook

A comprehensive, interactive online textbook covering the entire IBDP Chemistry 2025 syllabus. Structure 1–3 and Reactivity 1–3 with learning outcomes, practice questions and answers — completely free.

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IB Internal Assessment Help

Preparing your IB Chemistry IA? These guides will help you choose a topic, structure your investigation and score full marks.

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