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.

Video clip - Chloroplasts and starch

This BBC video clip introduces chloroplasts and the accumulation of starch grains. This can be used as an introduction to the importance and then the structure of the chloroplast. Older students can then discuss the internal structure of the chloroplast and relate it to the different stages in photosynthesis.

Video clip - Light and starch production

This BBC video clip demonstrates the classic experiment to show that light is needed for the production of starch. The process can be discussed in terms of what is being done to the leaf at each stage and why the demonstration is so elegant. Pupils can then do their own leaf shading and iodine tests. This can then be extended into tests on leaves which have also been deprived of carbon dioxide.

Video clip - Van Helmont's experiments on plant growth

This BBC video clip demonstrates Van Helmont's classic experiment to investigate the puzzle of how plants grow. The clip also raises issues about the use of scientific evidence to support conclusion and can be used to emphasise that firm conclusions can only be drawn when clear evidence is found.

Video clip - Production of oxygen in plants

This BBC video clip demonstrates a classic experiment to investigate the production of oxygen by plants in sunlight. The design of Ingenhousz’ experiments can be discussed. The control of variables controlling photosynthesis such as light and heat etc. can be considered, and the way that only one variable can be changed while all others are controlled if firm conclusions are to be drawn.

Video clip - Leaf structure, stomata and the absorption of carbon dioxide

This BBC video clip introduces the role of stomata, with the surface structure of a leaf observed using increasingly larger magnifications.This can be used as an introduction to leaf structure and then developed into a discussion of the other features of a leaf and how it is adapted for efficient photosynthesis.

Video clip - How commercial growers increase crop yield

This video clip from the BBC (from the TV series Botany: A Blooming History) looks at how commercial growers manipulate the limiting factors of photosynthesis to increase crop yield. A lesson 'starter' when discussing limiting factors.

Video clip - The work of Calvin and Benson on photosynthesis

This BBC video clip looks at the work of Benson and Calvin investigating photosynthesis in the 20th century. This can be used as an introduction for higher level students to the light independent reactions of photosynthesis and the Calvin-Benson cycle.

Video clip - Generation of clean fuels

This BBC video clip scientists at the University of Glasgow, whose research focuses on trying to replicate the process of photosynthesis in the laboratory. This can be used to introduce the idea of using natural processes as the basis for scientific innovation (biomimetics). It is also a good way to look at the need for ways to reduce the impact of global warming, and to produce clean fuels.