Organise
Browse Biology, Chemistry and Physics words by topic. Search, filter, add, edit or remove entries.
DOCUMENTATION / GETTING STARTED
A PLAIN-ENGLISH GUIDE
Meet your science word bench.
KeyLab helps UK Key Stage 3 learners recognise, understand and recall the vocabulary that unlocks science.
01COLLECT
Build a relevant word library.
02CONNECT
Pair words with definitions and visuals.
03RECALL
Practise freely, then test under time.
THE PRODUCT
What can KeyLab do?
KeyLab starts with a curriculum-aligned collection and gives learners or educators control over what happens next.
Visualise
Every starter keyword has its own retrieval visual and caption. Related diagrams highlight different targets rather than repeating one generic image.
Revise intelligently
Spaced repetition brings difficult and due words forward while confident words return less often.
Test
Use multiple choice, typed recall, mixed questions or matching pairs, then retry only incorrect words.
Good to know
No account is required for the core library, revision and test tools. An optional free account adds cross-device learning logs, private progress analytics and teacher classes.
VISUAL MEMORY, WITH PURPOSE
Why use both pictures and symbols?
One visual style does not suit every science idea. KeyLab uses a hybrid system chosen for meaning and curriculum familiarity.
For structures and systems
Cells, nuclei, organs, ecosystems, atoms and space use keyword-specific concept sketches. Related structures use highlighting to direct attention to the exact target without pretending to replace a full scientific diagram.
- Fast to recognise
- Low visual clutter
- Consistent across cards
Where symbols carry meaning
Circuits, forces, waves, rays, particle models and reactions use familiar school conventions so learners practise the visual language seen in lessons.
- Scientifically relevant
- Supports diagram literacy
- Avoids misleading decoration
The built-in visual maker
- Open a wordChoose “Edit visual & word” in the library.
- Use Auto or overrideAuto recommends a visual from the keyword. Educators can choose another curated diagram.
- Add a personal captionWrite a learner-specific association such as “mission control” for nucleus.
- Save and reviseThe visual appears in the library and on untimed revision cards.
Design principle
Visuals should cue accurate recall—not give away test answers. For that reason, timed questions focus on the definition without displaying the keyword visual.
BUILD THE COLLECTION
The keyword library
The library is the source of truth for revision and tests. It includes 58 starter terms across 13 topics.
BiologyCells, genetics, ecosystems, health
ChemistryParticles, atoms, reactions, Earth
PhysicsForces, energy, waves, electricity, space
Each keyword can contain
KeywordThe scientific term learners need to recall.
DefinitionA concise, student-friendly explanation.
Topic + disciplineWhere the word belongs in the library.
Memory clueAn example, equation or helpful association.
Visual + captionA recommended diagram and optional personalised cue.
NO CLOCK, NO PRESSURE
Untimed revision
Learners choose one or more topics and work through a shuffled stack. Each card starts with the keyword and its visual, encouraging the learner to say or think of the definition before revealing it.
1Choose topics
→2Recall aloud
→3Reveal
→4Master or review
The Review again list creates a focused stack of words needing more practice. I knew it records mastery and updates the dashboard.
Spaced repetition
KeyLab now schedules each word independently. Difficult or missed words become due sooner; successfully recalled words return after a growing interval. Smart order is enabled by default and can be switched off for a random stack.
Learners can also press Space to reveal, 1 for Review again and 2 for Mastered. The speaker button reads terms and definitions aloud. KeyLab automatically prefers a natural-sounding British female voice when the device provides one, and Settings lets the learner choose from all free English voices available in their browser.
RECALL UNDER PRESSURE
Timed tests
Testing shifts from recognition to retrieval. Learners control the challenge before the countdown begins.
TOPICSAny combination
QUESTIONS5, 10, 15 or 20
TIME1–10 minutes
STYLEChoice, typed, cloze, mixed or matching
At the end, KeyLab calculates a score, stores the best percentage and shows an answer-by-answer review. Unanswered items are included if time expires. A single button builds an untimed revision deck containing only incorrect answers. Signed-in learners also add the result, assessment style and average speed per question to their private test history.
FROM PRACTICE TO PROGRESS
Accounts, classes and learning records
Optional accounts turn KeyLab into a persistent progress platform. Learners can use a nickname and username—an email address or full name is not required.
A positive personal dashboard
- Total signed-in revision time
- Number of cards revised and tests completed
- Accuracy, personal best and test history
- Automatically prioritised focus keywords
- Progress levels: Spark, Explorer and Catalyst
- Private, encouraging peer progress bands
Whole class to individual detail
- Create classes with six-character join codes
- See total time, cards, tests and accuracy
- Scan class-level learner rows
- Open any learner’s focus words and full test history
- Compare performance across multiple assessment styles
How positive peer feedback works
KeyLab does not publish a numbered leaderboard. Once at least five classmates have each completed three tests, a learner receives a private band such as Finding your rhythm, Building momentum, On track or Thriving. It combines effort, consistency and recall, so focused practice always provides a constructive path forward.
Safeguard by design
Peer feedback is delayed until there is enough class data, never names other learners, and avoids negative labels. It is motivational guidance, not a formal attainment grade.
MAKE IT YOUR OWN
Customising KeyLab
The starter collection is a foundation, not a locked textbook. It can mirror a school’s scheme of work, a teacher’s language or an individual learner’s needs.
- Add a topic for the current classroom unit
- Add words from lesson slides or exercise books
- Rewrite definitions in age-appropriate language
- Add equations, examples and memory clues
- Choose a curated visual and personalised caption
- Tag content as Flexible KS3, Year 7, Year 8 or Year 9
- Share the currently filtered set with a class link
- Remove entries that are not currently needed
Suggested workflow for teachers
Start with one topic, check wording against your scheme of work, add classroom-specific terms, then ask learners to revise and complete a short baseline test.
WHO IT SUPPORTS
Different users, different value
Independent, low-pressure practice with visible progress and short tests.
A flexible vocabulary bank that can follow class sequencing and terminology.
A clear way to support revision without needing to design questions.
Consistent visuals, chunked definitions and repeatable routines can reduce language load. Content should still be adapted to each learner.
CURRICULUM APPROACH
Relevant to UK KS3 Science
The starter topics follow the broad Biology, Chemistry and Physics content taught at Key Stage 3 in England. Definitions use accessible language while preserving the scientific idea.
Important distinction
KeyLab is a curriculum-support tool, not a complete curriculum, assessment specification or substitute for teaching. Schools should review content against their own scheme of work and current statutory guidance.
PROGRESS & DATA
Local-first, with optional secure accounts
Keywords, custom topics, mastery schedules and accessibility settings remain in the browser so the core learning tools still work without signing in. When a learner chooses an account, completed signed-in study and test events are also stored securely for their progress and teacher views.
Account minimisationLearners can use a nickname and private username. No learner email address is required.
PasswordsPasswords are salted and cryptographically hashed; private sessions use secure, HTTP-only cookies.
Class accessTeachers only see learners who joined one of their classes. Learner peer feedback never exposes classmates’ names or ranks.
BackupSettings retains JSON export and import for the learner’s editable local library and revision schedule.
OfflineThe core PWA remains offline-ready. Account analytics sync when the connection is available.
WHERE IT COULD GO NEXT
Future possibilities
KeyLab now includes learner accounts, teacher classes and learning analytics. The next useful extensions could include:
Teacher assignments
Set a topic, deadline or target practice time and monitor completion.
Recorded pronunciation
Add reviewed human audio alongside device speech.
Progress exports
Download class reports and compare improvement between selected date ranges.
Diagram labelling
Label scientifically reviewed diagrams with accessible keyboard alternatives.
Difficulty levels
Offer scaffolded and exam-ready definitions.
Assisted visuals
Generate reviewed diagrams from educator prompts while preserving scientific conventions.
QUICK ANSWERS
Common questions
Does a learner need an account?
No. Core revision still works without sign-in. An account is required for persistent learning logs, class membership, teacher visibility and peer progress feedback.
Does a learner need an email address?
No. A nickname, unique username and password are enough. A teacher’s class code can be entered during registration or later.
Is there a public class leaderboard?
No. Learners receive private, positive progress bands only after enough class activity exists. They never see another learner’s name, score or position.
Can I change the included definitions?
Yes. Open the library and choose “Edit visual & word” on any card.
Are visuals shown during tests?
No. They support learning and recall during revision, but are withheld during timed definition questions.
Can a teacher add a completely new topic?
Yes. Use “Manage topics” in the library, then add keywords to it.
Will it work on phones and tablets?
Yes. Both KeyLab and this guide use responsive layouts for smaller screens. KeyLab can also be installed as an offline-ready web app.
Why are year tags flexible rather than fixed by exam board?
KS3 sequencing varies by school and exam-board specifications mainly apply at GCSE. The app therefore lets educators apply Year 7, 8 or 9 tags without claiming one national sequence.
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