Tackling tropisms: gravitropism and phototropism

This set of demonstrations into the effects of tropisms on seedlings is both simple and extendable. Seeds sown on damp cotton wool in (plastic) Petri dishes are grown either flat, or stuck vertically to a wall. Students enjoy the dramatic effect of sticking Petri dishes to the wall, and you will have well-grown seedlings within a week, showing the different effects of gravitropism and phototropism.

Tropisms - how do plants grow in space?

This short activity uses recently published research into plant behaviour, conducted on the International Space Station, to get your students thinking more about tropisms.

Photosynthesis Quiz: Test Your Knowledge!

This quiz about photosynthesis was designed to uncover various misconceptions that students often have, starting with GCSE level misconceptions and moving onto undergraduate level misconceptions.

Photosynthesis: testing a variegated leaf for starch

This resource tackles the learning objective “Only areas of the plant with chloroplasts can make starch in photosynthesis”. This is activity 11 in the ‘Photosynthesis: A Survival Guide’ scheme. Students carry out a starch test on a variegated leaf to demonstrate that only the parts containing chloroplasts are able to synthesise starch.

Sugar, starch or cellulose? What carbohydrates do plants make?

This resource tackles the learning objective ‘“Carbohydrates can be found in a range of plant organs”. This is activity 4 in the ‘Photosynthesis: A Survival Guide’ scheme. Pupils can test a variety of plant products for different sorts of carbohydrates, including glucose, starch and cellulose. These plant products can be fresh fruit and vegetables, but it is also interesting to test materials such as cotton wool and egg boxes, which contain a high proportion of cellulose. This is another good opportunity to get students engaged in practical work related to photosynthesis and will stretch their understanding of the carbohydrates.

Investigating photosynthesis and respiration using a carbon dioxide probe

This resource looks at photosynthesis and respiration through using a datalogger and carbon dioxide probe to measure amounts of carbon dioxide under different conditions. For schools with a carbon dioxide probe and a datalogger, this resource outlines a lesson plan making use of it to look at the different amounts of carbon dioxide detected as students enter the room, when a Bunsen burner is lit and when placed beside a plant in the dark or the light. For those without access to this equipment, the accompanying student sheet and Powerpoint gives an example graph that can be used for discussion and analysis.

Photosynthesis: what are chloroplasts?

In this resource, part of the 'Photosynthesis - A Survival Guide' scheme for 11-14 pupils, students investigate chloroplasts and starch production. Students observe chloroplasts directly under the microscope using a plant such as Elodea pondweed. Following this they take a thin section of potato tissue and stain it to show starch grains. Students then use their knowledge to hypothesise how variegated leaves might affect a plant’s growth.

Medicines and drugs from plants - 'trumps' card game

Throughout human civilisation the plant world has provided a rich source of medicinal and recreational drugs. This resource uses the popular 'trumps' card game format to provide a fun and informative way for post-16 students to learn about some of these plant-derived pharmaceuticals. This also makes a fun science club activity lower down the school, with students focusing mainly on the poisons!

Investigating leaf adaptations - why do nettles sting?

In this activity, students investigate a selection of plant leaves to discover how they are adapted to deter herbivores, looking specifically at stinging nettles and docks.

Raising awareness of STEM Careers with post-16 students

Sixth-form students are often unaware of the wide range of science careers available to them. This resource is designed to raise awareness of a greater range of STEM careers for post-16 students. It includes 25 PowerPoint slides, each with information about a different science career, ranging from toxicology to environmental conservation.

Evolutionary relationships, phylogenetic trees and finding new drugs

How can understanding phylogenetic trees and the evolutionary relationships between species lead to the discovery of new drugs for Alzheimers and other ? These resources for post-16 students introduce evolutionary relationships and phylogenetic trees, putting it in the context of modern drug discovery. Topics covered include creating a phylogenetic tree, using DNA and protein sequences to determine evolutionary relationships, and identifying possible sources of new drugs. The resources include teachers' guide, students' worksheets and a Powerpoint.

Investigating the antibacterial properties of plants: Introducing STEM Careers

In this resource, students investigate the antibacterial properties of plants. Their investigation is placed in the context of a case study of Prof Julian Ma who specialises in ‘pharming’ – the production of medicines by plants. Students read the case study and watch the video about Julian's medical research, and then carry out a practical using the disc diffusion method, testing various plants to see if they make chemicals which have antimicrobial properties.

Investigating the anti-cancer properties of plants: Introducing STEM Careers

This resource, aimed at 11-14 (KS3) students, is part of the SAPS Careers in Science series, a set of resources to support science teachers in integrating STEM careers information with practical activities. Students are introduced to Dr Jess Chu, a young scientist researching Malaysian rainforest plants to see if they have antioxidant, anti-cancer or antibacterial properties. Students then carry out their own investigations into the presence of vitamin C, an antioxidant, in the different parts of different plants.

Investigating the difference between organic and non-organic food: Introducing STEM Careers

In this investigation for KS3 (11-14), students design a fair test by carrying out a blind trial into the difference between organic and non-organic herbs. This resource is part of the SAPS Careers in Science series.

Using tissue culture and 'cloning' for rare plant conservation: Introducing STEM Careers

In this resource, students carry out a 'cauliflower cloning' tissue culture practical to investigate totipotency in plants. The practical is placed in the context of a STEM careers case study, to give students a broader understanding of the underlying science.

Investigating the biodiversity of different habitats: Introducing STEM Careers

In this resource, students investigate the biodiversity of different habitats, looking at the relative abundance of different plant species. Their investigation is put in a STEM Careers context, through a short video case study of Amy Eycott, landscape ecologist for the Forestry Commission.

Investigating how plants use colour to attract pollinators: Introducing STEM Careers

In this investigation, students look at the way in which flowering plants use colour to attract pollinators, and particularly bees. They carry out a variety of short practicals and research activities.The investigation is put in a STEM Careers context through a case study of plant scientist Dr Beverley Glover,

Extracting oil from plants

GCSE science students need to understand that plant oils can be extracted by both crushing and pressing plant material and by the more complex process of steam distillation. This resource describes a simple technique that can be run as a demonstration or as a class practical to extract a plant oil. There are also a couple of quick demonstrations based on plant oils and instructions for a student activity.

Phytoremediation and phytomining: a practical activity

Phytoremediation is the use of green plants to decontaminate soils in situ. Soils can become contaminated from activities such as mining & manufacturing. This practical activity investigates the use of hyperaccumulating plants to clean up copper contaminated soils. In turn, the copper can be extracted from the plants, known as phytomining.

Hydroponics

This practical activity outlines how to grow plants hydroponically in the classroom. It aims to give students an understanding of the basic growth needs of plants. It also shows how hydroponics can be utilised to provide food to humans as our population expands.