We are really pleased to be *here* online at the ASE Annual Conference 2021. In particular, we are excited to showcase some of our resources; provide top-tips and guidance for practicals; answer any questions you have; as well as say “hi…”
Throughout the conference we are presenting a variety of sessions.
SAPS Sessions
Supporting Technicians with Biology Practicals That Work - Wednesday 6th at 10:15-11:00
Is your pondweed bubble-less? Do you need a potometer that is fit for purpose? Are your algae inactive? Allow us, SAPS, to troubleshoot for your technical support. We provide steps for success to support the delivery of reliable core practicals.
Great Ideas for Better Biology - Wednesday 6th, Thursday 7th and Friday 8th at 15:40 and on Saturday 9th at 13:55
Zoom in for advice and top-tips for using our free plant science practical resources. Your biology questions will be answered by our panel of experts and each day we will be giving away 50 practical kits!
Motivating ways to approach Biology topics - Saturday 9th at 16:30
Sharing principles or structure underlying a topic can be motivating for learners and help them build a deeper understanding of Biology. We will see how this approach can be used when teaching about enzymes and how it applies to enhancing learners’ appreciation of the importance of biological knowledge to society.
Session Resources
Technicians CPD Session: Supporting Technicians with Biology Practicals That Work
Thank you for joining us and we hope you have been able to take away steps for success to support the delivery of reliable core practicals as well as lots of top-tips. Here are the links to the resources we made specific reference to in the session. You will be able to download the technician notes for free and don’t forget if you have any questions that you didn’t raise during the session or if you think of one next week… get in touch via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Motivating ways to approach Biology topics
Thank you for participating in this session. The resources associated with the session can be found using the links below. If you have any further questions that you did not raise during the session, address an email to Chris and send to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Contact Us (during and after the conference)
You can email us via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and find us on our social networks:
• Twitter – be sure to follow the hashtags #SAPSatASE and #ASEConf2021
• Facebook – follow us for the latest SAPS news
• YouTube – view our biology practical demos, A-level core practicals, and biology animation playlists
To find out more about us and the SAPS Team, click here.
Throughout the year we have a number of CPD opportunities available including Train the Trainer and the Plant Science Summer School.
- Train the Trainer 2021 - online (Thursday 18th and Friday 19th March 2021)
This free online event is open to all secondary science Initial Teacher Education (ITE) tutors and all those involved in the training of Biology teacher trainees through SCITTs, PGCE Centres and Alliances. The institution’s lead/ biology technician is also welcome. The event will consist of two half days (09:30-13:30) of inspiring activities, providing you with an opportunity to look at the secondary and post-16 resources we’ve developed. This includes support for GCSE plant disease topics and A-level core practicals. If you would like more information or to register to attend, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Plant Science Summer School 2021 (Sunday 27th to Wednesday 30th June 2021)
This unique residential event for post-16 biology teachers in the UK will take place over four days on the outskirts of York. Attendees will have the opportunity to join in inspirational practical workshops, attend lectures on exciting contemporary plant science research, engage with 1st year undergraduate bioscience students from UK universities and produce a teaching resource relevant to post-16 biology specifications. Teachers from both state-funded schools and fee-paying schools are invited to apply. Please note that the event will move online as was the case in 2020 if appropriate. To register your interest please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Online Exhibition Area
Newsletter via email
Become a SAPS Associate and sign-up to receive our free online newsletter containing free resources, access to our 'Ask the Expert' helpline, opportunities for professional development and much more.
Free Online Course
'Teaching Biology: Inspiring Students with Plant Science' is a free online course for teachers and technicians developed in collaboration with STEM Learning. Live from 11th January 2021 - for more information and to enrol now click here.
SAPS Ambassadors
One of our SAPS Ambassadors could run a session for your team or even your trainee teachers. From a 10-min item in a staff meeting to a 1 hour long INSET session - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your details. If you would like to receive training to become a SAPS Ambassador This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your name, role & years of experience. We would love to hear from you!
A-level set practicals
This collection of resources supports teachers with practicals across various A-level biology 2015 specifications for England (OCR, AQA, Edexcel and Eduqas).
They include:
• Tested materials to support the A-level practical endorsement in England (CPAC)
• Support materials for teachers and technicians
• Student worksheets to help provide evidence for meeting the practical skills requirements
• Student revision materials to help prepare for exams
Essential Practicals
This collection includes six essential plant practicals for 14-16 and post-16 biology, covering a range of topics.
We particularly recommend these resources for PGCE students and early career teachers as they provide content that they’ll likely to teach during the course of the year.
How-to videos
Our videos are designed to help teachers and technicians carry out a range of interesting biology practicals with secondary and post-16 students. We guide you through the necessary practical steps, plus suggest how they can be used in the classroom.
These videos and more are available to view on our YouTube channel too.
Biology Animations
Our 'Plant Biology' animations shows three key processes in plant biology all within the context of a whole organism. –
• respiration and photosynthesis
• cell growth and differentiation
• transport of sugar and water
These animations, which are all linked have particular value in reminding students that the different processes that take place in a plant are interrelated.
Image Collection
Brighten up your resources or look for a particular image with our collection of images designed to help you bring biology to life in your classroom.
We've got over 200 photos for you to use in Powerpoints, worksheets and posters - freely available for educational use.
Primary Resources
All you need to teach plant biology in the primary classroom: a series of 6 booklets covering science, literacy, numeracy and gardening, with plenty of thought-provoking and hands-on activities.
