How Science Works – Copper Pollution from Mines

One of three activities from a CPD workshop looking at how practical work can support ‘How Science Works’.

This resource considers how pollution from copper mines affects growth of plants, including a data analysis activity and a practical. This resource argues that the best way to encourage the skills needed for How Science Works is to do real investigative science, to help students to become genuinely curious by setting investigatory work in a context and providing stimulus material to get them to generate their own questions.

This resource includes two sub-sections; one on the effect of copper on germination and growth with data and photos of the set up and results: the other with data on copper tolerant plants. It also includes imitation science articles that can be used to prompt investigations and assist analysis of results