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School Science Workshop... Marvellous Mixtures! | Fizzics Education
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Marvellous Mixtures

Marvellous Mixtures

Explore different types of mixtures and ways of separating them

🧪 Chemical World: Mixtures & Separations

Marvellous Mixtures

Solutions, Colloids and Chromatography

What really is a mixture? In this immersive hands-on science workshop, your students become chemists as they investigate the fascinating world of matter. We move beyond simple definitions to explore how substances interact, combine, and can be pulled apart again.

Students investigate all manner of suspensions, colloids, and solutions. By applying real laboratory techniques—including filtration, chromatography, and magnetism—they determine the most effective ways to separate complex mixtures. It’s a session designed to challenge students to think about whether these processes are physical or chemical in nature.

Key Science Concepts:

  • Solubility: Discover why some substances dissolve while others stay suspended.
  • Separation Techniques: Master filtration, magnetism, and evaporation.
  • Chromatography: Use the power of capillary action to separate hidden colours in ink.
  • Colloids vs. Solutions: Learn to identify the subtle differences in mixture types.
  • Physical Changes: Understand that separating mixtures does not create new substances.
  • Real-World Chemistry: Connect classroom experiments to industrial water filtration and recycling.

Education-First Leadership

Led by Churchill Fellow Ben Newsome, we simplify complex chemical terminology into memorable, practical experiments.

Ben Newsome Science Education

4 Million+ Students Inspired since 2004

Curriculum Focus:

Aligned with Australian Curriculum (V9.0) and State Syllabuses, focusing on the properties of matter and observable changes.

⚗️
Hands-on material testing.
🌈
Chromatography investigations.

Australian National Curriculum Mapping for all our science incursions

Australian ACARA Content Outcomes:

Science F-10 Version 9.0

Foundation
  • recognise that objects can be composed of different materials and describe the observable properties of those materials AC9SFU03
  • explore the ways people make and use observations and questions to learn about the natural world AC9SFH01
  • pose questions and make predictions based on experiences AC9SFI01
Year 2
  • recognise that materials can be changed physically without changing their material composition and explore the effect of different actions on materials including bending, twisting, stretching and breaking into smaller pieces AC9S2U03
Year 1 & 2
  • describe how people use science in their daily lives, including using patterns to make scientific predictions AC9S1H0, AC9S2H01
  • pose questions to explore observed simple patterns and relationships and make predictions based on experiences AC9S1I01, AC9S2I01
  • compare observations with predictions and others’ observations, consider if investigations are fair and identify further questions with guidance AC9S1I05, AC9S2I05
Year 3
  • identify sources of heat energy and examine how temperature changes when heat energy is transferred from one object to another AC9S3U03
  • investigate the observable properties of solids and liquids and how adding or removing heat energy leads to a change of state AC9S3U04
Year 4
  • examine the properties of natural and made materials including fibres, metals, glass and plastics and consider how these properties influence their use AC9S4U04
Year 3 & 4
  • examine how people use data to develop scientific explanations AC9S3H01, AC9S4H01
  • consider how people use scientific explanations to meet a need or solve a problem AC9S3H02, AC9S4H02
  • pose questions to explore observed patterns and relationships and make predictions based on observations AC9S3I01, AC9S4I01
  • compare findings with those of others, consider if investigations were fair, identify questions for further investigation and draw conclusions AC9S3I05, AC9S4I05

Australian National Curriculum Mapping for all our science workshops & shows

NSW K – 10 Science Syllabus mapping for all our incursions

NSW Science Syllabus Content

A student:

  • identifies that objects are made of materials that have observable properties STe-4MW-ST
  • identifies that materials can be changed or combined ST1-6MW-S
  • describes how the properties of materials determine their use ST1-7MW-T

NSW Science and Technology K–6 Syllabus (Implementation from 2027)

For explanatory points & implementation advice for each dot point, please visit the NESA Science and Technology K–6 Curriculum site

Early Stage 1

STE-SCI-01

identifies and describes characteristics of living things, properties of materials, and movement

  • Observe and manipulate materials to describe their properties using Tier 2 vocabulary
  • Pose questions about materials and describe how they are used in everyday objects

STE-PQU-01 poses questions based on observations to collect data

Stage 1

ST1-PQU-01 poses questions based on observations and information to investigate cause and effect

Stage 2

ST2-SCI-01

uses information to investigate the solar system and the effects of energy on living, physical and geological systems

  • Observe examples of matter that exist as a solid, which has a defined shape and volume; a liquid, which has a definite volume but not a definite shape; and a gas, which has neither a definite shape nor a definite volume
  • Describe how the properties of materials and transfer of heat energy impact everyday life

ST2-PQU-01 poses questions to create fair tests that investigate the effects of energy on living things and physical systems


VIC Curriculum F–10 Version 2.0

For explanatory points & implementation advice for each dot point, please visit the VIC Curriculum F-10 site.

Foundation to Level 2
  • objects can be made of one or more different materials; these materials have observable properties. VC2S2U04
  • materials can be combined in a variety of ways for particular purposes; the properties of objects and mixtures can differ from the properties of the materials from which they are made. VC2S2U05
  • experiences can be used as a basis for posing questions to explore observed patterns and relationships, and to make predictions. VC2S2I01
  • observations, findings and ideas can be shared with others by using everyday and some scientific vocabulary. VC2S2I06
Levels 3 & 4
  • solids, liquids and gases have observable properties; adding or removing heat energy leads to a change of state between solids, liquids and gases. VC2S4U04
  • the properties of natural and made materials, including fibres, metals, glass and plastics, influence their use and re-use. VC2S4U05
  • scientific investigations to answer questions or test predictions can be planned and conducted using provided scaffolds, including identifying the attributes of fair tests, and considering the safe use of materials and equipment. VC2S4I02

School Testimonials

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Carey Baptist Grammar School

I would like to thank you very much for organising this incursion for us. Ben was fantastic. He was very engaging and the experiments were interactive and appealed to students’ interests. Ben exposed the students to new vocabulary and explained the science concepts in a comprehensive manner. Many thanks, we would definitely book this again!
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St Andrews Malabar

The experiments were great!

Science Show Activities

Filter my water

How do natural filters help to keep our water catchments clean?

Disappearing water

Where did it go? And how can we get it back?

Magnetic attraction

Use magnets to find fortified iron in a common food!

Kitchen chemistry

Mix up some colourful science experiments and watch them change!

Strange suspension

Shake the bottle and the beads mix...wait a minute... they separate & then float back together!

Ink chromatography

Find the hidden colours in marker ink.

Salty science

How can we take the salt out of saltwater?

Slime (90 min program)

Really, who doesn't like slime?

Sugar dissolving in the middle of a white plate, surrounded by 3 dissolving skittles that are forming a cross-shaped pattern

Science workshop content

What Students Experience: The Separation Lab

The workshop begins with an essential question: how do scientists obtain pure substances? We discuss why the ability to separate mixtures is the cornerstone of modern science, allowing us to isolate materials to understand their unique properties and potential uses.

Through high-impact demonstrations of chemical separation, filtration, and precipitation, students witness matter changing state and being pulled apart before their eyes. In our guided experiments, students take the lead—using chromatography to reveal the hidden components of ink, isolating proteins through the chemical separation of milk, and utilising magnetism to sort complex mixtures.

1. Analytical Chemistry

Students explore concentration gradients and molecular movement, observing how chemicals behave differently within varied mixture types.

2. Industrial Techniques

We simulate advanced industrial processes, demonstrating centrifugation and crystallisation to show how mixtures are refined on a large scale.

3. Magnetic Isolation

Using high-strength magnets, students learn how physical properties allow for the rapid sorting and recovery of specific materials from a mixture.

EST. 2004

Rigorous Chemical Inquiry

A Trusted STEM Partner for 20 Years

Fizzics Education brings professional lab equipment to your classroom, facilitating safe and engaging chemical experiments that align with the Australian K-6 science syllabus.

Authentic Lab Techniques: From chromatography to chemical precipitation, students use real-world methods of inquiry.

Expert Facilitators: Experienced educators trained to manage complex chemical investigations safely.

A student watching a purple liquid fizz

Requirements

⚗️ Workshop Logistics

Session Requirements

👥 Capacity & Timing

👨‍🎓 Attendance: Max 30 students per class.

🏫 Target: Appropriate for Years K to 4.

Duration: 60 or 90 minutes.

🛠️ Set/Pack: 45 mins setup + 45 mins pack down.

📍 Space & Power

🏗️ Layout: 10 tables arranged around the room to support hands-on stations.

🔌 Power: Access to 1 electrical power socket.

🪑 Seating: Chairs are not required for students.

💡 Experience Note: To ensure the best learning experience, materials may vary to suit conditions and the audience. Please chat with our presenter regarding any specific focus areas.

COVID Safe

COVID Safe: We’ll tailor the program to suit both your school and the State’s current social distancing requirements. Inquire here.

🛡️ $20M Public Liability
WWCC Checked
📋 Full Risk Assessments
🎓 Expert Educators

Go Further!

Complete STEM Units to Support Your Teaching

Save planning time with high-quality videos, printable experiments, vocabulary lists, Scope & sequences, and marking rubrics.

Explore STEM Units

Did you know about our larger stage shows?

Designed to engage up to 240 students, pair this workshop with one of these school favourites:

Cost

💰 Workshop Investment

Marvellous Mixtures

$580 inc. GST
60-Minute Workshop
✨ $19.33 per student
(Based on 30 students)

$660 inc. GST
90-Minute Workshop
✨ $22.00 per student
(Based on 30 students)

Early Bird: Book and pay within 7 days to receive 10% off your booking.

View offers & discounts

📚 Teaching Support: Go further with the Mixtures Unit of Work.

🌍 Global Reach: Available as a live online class anywhere in the world.

📍 Regional: We visit country schools via Country Science Tours.

📑 Syllabus: Print a PDF for mapping of all K to 6 science visits.

Call 1300 856 828

Click below to book your primary school science workshop.

4 Million+ Students Inspired since 2004

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Extension Ideas!

Scientist Q & A

Often students attend our science workshops and shows with questions that stem beyond the covered topic area. Ask a scientist aims to give students a chance to get their questions answered! Run as a 30-minute session at a cost of $70 inc. GST.

Read More

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