CPD Opportunities

 

There are a number of courses and workshops available to teachers and technicians which include support for teaching and learning about plants. Below we list some courses on offer from SAPS and CPD providers like STEM Learning. If you are a CPD provider and would like your course listed on this page, please contact the SAPS office by email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or by phone (01223 748455).

 

 

Free online CPD with our Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). Launches again:  16 MARCH 2020

'Teaching Biology: Inspiring Students with Plant Science'

Developed in partnership with the National STEM Learning Centre and aimed at those who work with KS3 and KS4 students, the free course explores how plant science examples and practicals can be used to help address misconceptions, link concepts and bring the wow factor to biology.

The 3-week course will enable you to:

  • complete steps at your own pace
  • be supported by online mentors
  • connect with other course participants
 
Teaching Biology: Inspiring Students with Plant Science is hosted on FutureLearn, a free platform for online learning. You’ll need to create an account but there is no fee for the course. The course runs for 3 weeks and each week’s steps are expected to take about 3 hours and you can stop, skip and jump in at any point. The course will be available for another 2 weeks after the initial 3 so you can catch up or start later on if you want to. 
 
View our introductory video to gain further insight into whether this is a course for you and then you can sign-up.
 
 

 

Are you an experienced science teacher or technician using SAPS protocols?

Do you want to share your knowledge of SAPS protocols? 

Then you may be interested in joining the SAPS Ambassador Scheme!

 

^ Under the microscope. Following SAPS protocols. 

About the scheme  
The SAPS Ambassador Scheme has been developed as we look to build a community of SAPS Ambassadors (experienced science teachers and technicians) from around the UK to demonstrate our methods and materials to their colleagues and networks. SAPS Ambassadors are free to facilitate events in a capacity that is most suitable and rewarding to them. This could mean presenting for 10 minutes at a staff meeting, running a 2-hour session for INSET or presenting at a TeachMeet.

As a SAPS Ambassador, you will have the opportunity to:

  • receive free expert guidance on how to present SAPS practicals to others and what to say about SAPS
  • receive free training on showcasing the benefits of SAPS practicals to others
  • join the community and the SAPS Ambassador Facebook group
 
The benefit to SAPS is:
  • meeting you and expanding our community of experienced SAPS users
  • the opportunity to share our practicals across the UK

 

 

^ Our 2019 cohort of SAPS Ambassadors during the SAPS Ambassadors Training at ASE. 

SAPS Ambassador Training
We are able to provide our SAPS Ambassadors with a presentation, posters and other consumables to support the delivery each session. Throughout the year, we offer SAPS Ambassador Training free of charge where those familiar with SAPS protocols are provided with:

  • an opportunity to explore our SAPS practical activities   
  • helpful hints and tips on how to use the resources most effectively 
  • guidance on how to run your own training activity  
  • an occasion to meet with your fellow Ambassadors from across the country

 

Below are some of the aims that SAPS Ambassadors had when attending the SAPS Ambassador training

  • “To become more confident at training others both inside and outside my institution and inspiring others to love plants”
  • “To be more aware of the range of support available so I can talk more knowledgeably to the other teachers I meet”
  • “To obtain ideas for presenting resources to teachers and technicians”
  • “To share my enthusiasm for plant-based studies and practical work with others”
  • “To meet like-minded teachers and technicians who are enthusiastic about plant science in schools"

 

Here is some feedback from our SAPS Ambassador Training events

  • “Having the opportunity to explore new techniques in plant biology education - it's invaluable for personal/ professional development and the development of colleagues”
  • “I'd definitely recommend this to colleagues. The helpful tips and great easy-to-do demos would/could shortcut colleagues' subject and practical knowledge”

 

If you are interested in becoming a SAPS Ambassador, please email us via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and share a little about yourself including your name, your role, your location and experience of SAPS practicals.
 

^ Using celery for the 'Vascular Tissue Microscopy' practical. 

 

 

SAPS Plant Science Summer School July 2020

"This has been thoroughly inspirational", "Brilliant", "Loved it", "The lectures from the experts were thought-provoking and well delivered". (2014 participants' feedback)

Sunday 28th June - Wednesday 1st July 2020

This course gives a select group of post-16 biology teachers the opportunity to join a plant science summer school hosted by some of the leading lights in biology, ecology and plant science.

The programme aligns with the Gatsby Plant Science Summer School for biology undergraduates, and shares some of its inspiring practical workshops, contemporary plant science research updates, and discussions on the importance and relevance of plant science.

For more details, and to apply for a place on the Plant Science Summer School please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. stating your name, job title, school/college and how many years you have been teaching post-16 biology. We will then send you an application form. 

Practicals include:

  • Plant Pathology - Track pathogen infections with FERA scientists using PCR and identify common plant pathogens.
  • Cell Biology - Use confocal microscopes to experience real-time cell processes visualised with fluorescent proteins.
  • Plant Development - Unravel the secrets behind the spiral and body form patterns, programme your own flower plan and re-create plant forms in-silico.
  • Plant ID - Experience a foolproof way to identify and plant to family level and practice your field ID skills.


2019 Lectures:

  • “Food for the future demands radical agriculture: the C4 rice challenge"
  • “Studying a plant virus: from fundamental research to applications and back again"
  • "Ecological monitoring with citizen science"
  • “Birds, bees and bright blue leaves: Investigating the function of plant iridescence”
  • “GeoNutrition: spatial aspects of hidden hunger”

 

You can read more about the Gatsby Plant Science Summer School for undergraduates here: www.gatsbysummerschool.org.uk  (Please note that the end date for undergraduates differs from the course end date for teachers.)

Highlights from previous years' speakers can be seen on our 5 minute YouTube taster videos.

 

Accommodation and bursaries

More information will be provided upon request. 

Developing new teaching resources

Inspired by the sessions, you will be supported - during the summer school and afterwards - in producing new teaching and learning resources relevant to current post-16 biology specifications. In time, these will be disseminated via the SAPS website, the ASE annual conference, and the network of Science Learning Centres. The aim is to engage other teachers and students, in line with the mission of the summer school to inspire and motivate future plant scientists. Gatsby, SAPS and STEM Learning Centre value excellent teaching about plants in schools and colleges: this summer school is one way to support and encourage enthusiastic teachers.


One exciting teaching resource developed from the 2010 Summer School is 'An investigation into transpiration using infra-red thermometers'. The Summer School inspired Bev Goodger, a teacher from Sir John Deane's College, Cheshire to design a practical for schools based around an original investigation at the summer school.

Our 'Deadly diseases and plant pathology' resource was developed by teacher Sarah Bayliss after attending the 2011 Summer School.

CSI Trees was developed by Sarah Owens-Hughes  and 'How healthy are your trees?' was developed by Julie Bourne, both after attending the 2013 Summer School

 

Courses in biology run by the national STEM Learning network can be found here

The RHS runs CPD Opportunities on gardens and plant science throughout the year, throughout both England and Scotland.

The Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh run courses on secondary biology and primary science throughout the year.

The National Botanic Garden of Wales run CPD courses throughout the year, on a wide range of topics.

Kew Gardens run CPD opportunities for secondary biology and primary science throughout the year, some in association with other providers.

If you are a school, initial teacher training institution or CPD provider and you would like to include a plant-based workshop in support of science teacher CPD we may be able to put you in touch with one of our network of trainers.