Demonstrating ecosystems with an eco-column
An eco-column is a deceptively simple way to demonstrate ecosystems and food chains in the classroom. This cheap and simple ecosystems practical uses 2 litre soft drinks bottles as a basis.
An eco-column is a deceptively simple way to demonstrate ecosystems and food chains in the classroom. This cheap and simple ecosystems practical uses 2 litre soft drinks bottles as a basis.
Create a useful growing system from two plastic bottles.
Based on “Snakes and ladders”, this board game reinforces children’s understanding about what seeds need to germinate and what plants need to grow well.
This activity allows children to investigate different aspects of plant growth.
Cauliflower is a vegetable full of potential for the science lab - and, of course, easy and cheap to source throughout the year.
This activity encourages children to practise their observation skills whilst dissecting a seed.
This activity provides an opportunity for the vocabulary of the parts of a flowering plant to be reinforced through playing a game.
Another seed from a newly discovered plant . . . an activity that stimulates discussion and gives the children an opportunity for writing instructional texts and requires creative thinking in the design of the packet.
These activities will help establish vocabulary and are useful as “starters” or “plenaries” and identifying children’s misconceptions.
Linked to developing an understanding of pollination, this activity scores frequency of different flower colours as a block graph (with coloured tokens) or drawing a graph (by hand or using IT).
This enjoyable science practical is a useful way to introduce the topic of fertilisers, and measure the effect of fertilisers on the growth of plants.
Wildlife gardens are increasingly popular within schools - but have you thought about creating a science garden? Here you will find some ideas.
Popping up in every school carpark and playing field, the adaptations that make dandelions ubiquitous also make them a valuable resource for the science lab.
Over the course of a double lesson, students can see and measure the growth of the pollen tubes, and discuss the factors that influence this.
Potatoes are well known as a reliable and easy to obtain resource for key practicals such as investigating osmosis
A game to introduce the concept of seed dispersal, in particular how large seeds such as hazelnuts and conkers are dispersed by small mammals.
This is a sequencing activity based on the stages and events in the life cycle of a flowering plant, illustrated by the rapid-cycling Brassica.
Here is a method using for primary aged children to grow brassicas. Simple and illustrating the whole life cycle in a short space of time, the plants are small enough to keep in the classroom.
This student worksheet introduces how to plant the rapid-cycling brassicas.
This student worksheet introduces how to care for the rapid-cycling brassicas.
The prickly leaves of holly are an impressive defence against herbivores - and a useful resource for investigations in the science lab
You don't have to eat your greens - you can bring them into the lab and use them for investigating photosynthesis instead
Duckweed are tiny but robust plants, which can quickly cover a whole pond in an unbroken mat of green