Risk Assessment | British Science Week 2026

Activity Risk Assessment

Assessment For

British Science Week 2026

School

[School Name]

Date of Assessment

[Date]

Assessor

[Name]

Review Date

March 2027

Provider

[Provider Name]

🍊

Activity 1: Grab the Orange Challenge

Hazard	Who at Risk	Risk Level	Control Measures
Water spillage causing slip hazard	All	Low	Use containers on trays to catch spills Paper towels available for immediate clean-up Mop nearby for larger spills Activity area clearly marked
Allergic reaction to citrus	Pupils with allergies	Low	Check for citrus allergies beforehand Alternative fruit available if needed No eating of the oranges during activity Hand washing after handling
Wet hands/clothing	Pupils	Low	Sleeves rolled up before activity Paper towels available Aprons available if needed

💨

Activity 2: Bernoulli's Windbags

Hazard	Who at Risk	Risk Level	Control Measures
Hyperventilation from blowing	Pupils	Low	Demonstrate single-breath technique first One attempt per pupil at a time Seated rest between attempts Monitor for dizziness
Bag over head/face	Younger pupils	Medium	Clear instructions: bags stay away from face Close supervision throughout Bags collected after demonstration Higher supervision for KS1
Sharing germs via bag opening	All	Low	Individual bags for each pupil or group Bags not shared between pupils Hand sanitiser available

⚡

Activity 3: Human Circuit

Hazard	Who at Risk	Risk Level	Control Measures
Electric shock from equipment	Pupils, Staff	Low	Use only low-voltage equipment (under 5V) Battery-powered devices only Equipment checked before use No mains electricity involved
Pupils with pacemakers	Affected pupils	Low	Check medical records before activity Low-voltage equipment safe for pacemakers Alternative observation role if concerns
Tripping on wires/leads	All	Low	Clear activity area of obstacles Wires kept short and visible Standing positions marked

🎩

Activity 4: Inertia Tablecloth Trick

Hazard	Who at Risk	Risk Level	Control Measures
Falling objects from table	Pupils, Staff	Medium	Use plastic/unbreakable items only Clear zone around demonstration table Pupils stand at safe distance Adult demonstrates first
Items rolling off and causing trips	All	Low	Use items that don't roll (cups, plates) Collect fallen items immediately Activity area clearly defined
Table instability	All	Low	Use stable, weighted table Check table stability before activity Table positioned away from walls/obstacles

🪁

Activity 5: ZipString

Hazard	Who at Risk	Risk Level	Control Measures
String tangling around fingers/neck	Pupils	Low	Demonstrate correct holding technique Use strings no longer than 1 metre Supervise activity at all times Ensure adequate spacing between pupils
Collision with other pupils	Pupils	Low	Designate clear activity zones Minimum 1.5m spacing between participants No running during activity
String snap causing injury	Pupils	Low	Use appropriate string material Check strings for wear before use Replace worn strings

🔋

Activity 6: Kinetic Energy

Hazard	Who at Risk	Risk Level	Control Measures
Moving/swinging objects	Pupils, Staff	Medium	Clear safety zone around demonstration Pupils maintain safe viewing distance Only trained staff operate equipment Equipment secured when not in use
Dropping heavy items	All	Low	Use appropriate weight for age group Clear toe area during handling Adult handles heavier items
Pinch points in equipment	Pupils	Low	Identify and highlight pinch points Fingers kept clear during demonstrations Close supervision during hands-on use

💧

Activity 7: Disappearing Water

Hazard	Who at Risk	Risk Level	Control Measures
Ingestion of polymer crystals	Younger pupils	Medium	Use non-toxic, food-grade polymers only No tasting or putting in mouths Close supervision throughout Hand washing after activity
Water spillage	All	Low	Use containers on trays Paper towels readily available Small quantities of water used Clean spills immediately
Slippery gel on floor	All	Low	Activity conducted at tables Gel contained in trays Sweep/mop any dropped gel immediately

🥚

Activity 8: Egg Drop Inertia Trick

Hazard	Who at Risk	Risk Level	Control Measures
Egg breakage and mess	Pupils, Staff	Medium	Activity conducted over trays to contain mess Paper towels and cleaning materials readily available Aprons available for participating pupils Floor covering placed beneath activity area
Allergic reaction to eggs	Pupils with allergies	Medium	Check for egg allergies before activity Affected pupils observe from safe distance Hand washing after handling eggs Alternative non-egg object available if needed
Slip hazard from spilled water/egg	All	Low	Clean spills immediately Mop and paper towels nearby Activity area clearly marked and supervised

🫧

Activity 9: Giant Bubble Ring

Hazard	Who at Risk	Risk Level	Control Measures
Bubble solution spillage causing slip hazard	All	Medium	Activity conducted on wipeable floor or protective sheet Mop and paper towels nearby for immediate clean-up Solution trays used to contain drips Pupils maintain safe distance from wet area
Bubble solution contact with eyes or skin	Pupils	Low	Use non-toxic, child-safe bubble solution Eyewash station or clean water available Hand washing after activity Pupils warned not to touch eyes during activity
Allergic reaction to soap/glycerine solution	Pupils with sensitivities	Low	Check for skin sensitivities or soap allergies beforehand Ingredient list available for staff/parents Affected pupils observe from safe distance

📋 General Control Measures (All Activities)

All activities delivered by trained practitioners or briefed school staff
Class teacher present throughout all sessions
First aider available on site
Adequate adult:pupil ratios maintained (minimum 1:15)
Clear instructions given before each activity
Equipment checked before and after each session
SEN and medical needs of pupils considered and accommodated
Emergency procedures communicated to all staff involved

♿ Accessibility Considerations

Activities can be adapted for pupils with physical disabilities
Visual demonstrations supported by verbal explanation
Advance warning given for any loud noises
Alternative sensory-friendly options available for pupils with sensory processing needs
Support staff briefed on individual pupil needs

🚨 Emergency Procedures

In case of injury, cease activity immediately and administer first aid
Report all incidents to school office and complete accident form
Fire evacuation procedures remain in effect during all activities
Provider contact for urgent issues: [Contact Number]

Sign-Off

I confirm that I have read and understood this risk assessment and agree that the control measures are appropriate for the activities described.

Head Teacher / Deputy

Date: _______________

Science Coordinator

Date: _______________

Programme Representative

Date: _______________

← Back to Resource Hub