Adaptations to Arid Climates (Age 11-14)
In this ARKive resource, students learn about how different animals and plants are adapted to surviving in arid habitats. Working in groups, students design and carry out an experiment aimed at testing the effectiveness of different adaptations in reducing water loss. Using a worksheet as guidance, students also compare species…
Invasive Species (Age 11-14)
This resource from Arkive allows students to investigate the impacts that invasive species have on the environment, the effects that they have on native species and habitats, and the characteristics that make certain species good invaders. The activity looks at the different ways in which invasive species can potentially be controlled…
Endangered Species Egg Decorating (Age 7-11)
This resource, produced by ARKive, combines art and science to create models of endangered species. Children choose their favourite threatened species and study their key features. They then decorate an egg to look like their chosen endangered animal and present their completed design to the rest of the class, explaining why it is…
ARKive School Museum (Age 11-14)
Produced by ARKive, this series of activities teaches students about endangered species through the creation of an interactive museum. The ARKive School Museum presentation looks at examples of endangered species and explains the concept of an ARKive School Museum. Students then research an endangered species using the ARKive…
ARKive School Museum
Produced by ARKive, this series of activities teaches students about endangered species through the creation of an interactive museum. Children learn about endangered species through the ARKive School Museum presentation and then choose an endangered species to research. They then produce an exhibit by creatively presenting information…
Newly Discovered Species (Age 11-14)
Produced by ARKive, this resource teaches Key Stage Three children about biodiversity and classification whilst developing skills in independent research, collaboration and scientific thinking. It also gets students thinking about how scientists plan expeditions and surveys. A presentation introduces biodiversity and explores…
Newly Discovered Species (Age 7-11)
Produced by ARKive, this resource teaches Key Stage Two children about classification, variation and how to create and use their own classification keys. A presentation introduces biodiversity through images of a range species and looks at how new species are still being discovered by scientists. Following the presentation, children…
Opposable Thumbs (Age 11-14)
In this resource, produced by ARKive, students explore the role of the opposable thumb in primates and look at how this adaptation helps many different species in accomplishing tasks essential for survival. A presentation introduces the definition of an opposable thumb and looks at species that have this adaptation and the purposes…
Animals Over Winter (Age 7-11)
This resource, produced by ARKive, is designed to teach Key Stage Two children about the strategies animals adopt to survive winter in temperate zones and about the adaptations exhibited by animals in the polar regions. Children compare these strategies and identify similarities and differences in the ways animals are adapted…
Investigations with Venus Fly Traps
In this activity from Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS), students investigate what causes a Venus’ Fly Trap to shut. These experiments are related to a series of investigations that Darwin carried out as part of his work on evolution and adaptation and background information on this is provided. Students use a brush to…
Adaptation, Natural Selection and Winged Fruits
In this activity from Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS), students investigate the role of natural selection in evolution by considering the extent to which the winged fruits from a tree are adapted for successful dispersal. This practical approach to studying natural selection and competition encourages students to formulate…
Human Impact on the Environment (Age 14-16)
From Arkive, this presentation and activity are designed to teach students aged 14-16 about the concept of human impacts on the environment. The presentation explains how human impacts can directly affect species survival, using plastic waste as an example. The activities then encourage students to consider how the impact of plastic…
Human Impact on the Environment (Age 11-14)
From Arkive, this presentation and activity are designed to teach students aged 11-14 about the concept of human impacts on the environment. The presentation explains how human impacts can directly affect species survival, using plastic waste as an example. The activities then encourage students to consider how the impact of plastic…
Fruit Juice Production and Enzyme Recovery
Produced by Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS), in this investigation, students look at the effectiveness of enzymes used in the commercial production of fruit juices. Fruit juice companies use enzymes to break down the cells walls within the fruits and release the liquids and the sugars which make up the fruit. Pectinases,…
What Determines the Number of Spines on a Holly Leaf?
Produced by Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS), this activity enables students to: • develop knowledge and understanding of structural defence mechanisms in plants • develop problem solving skills • demonstrate the processing of information and use of calculations The investigation looks how the number of…
Investigating Potato Cyst Nematodes
From Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS), this practical activity was developed for Scottish Highers specifications, but the protocol can equally well be used for other specifications. Students look at potato cyst nematodes, a serious pest of food crops. This is a good example of parasitism to study as: • it affects…
Examining Mycorrhizae
From Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS), this practical activity was developed for Scottish Highers specifications, but the protocol can equally well be used for other specifications. Students prepare and stain roots, and then examine them to establish the frequency of mycorrhizae. The practical activity helps students…
Mission X: Train Like an Astronaut
Mission X is supported by the UK Space Agency, ESA and NASA. It is a free education programme developed by NASA scientists and fitness professional working with astronaut and space agencies across the world. Mission X uses the excitement of space exploration to inspire students to learn more about nutrition, exercise, science and…
5/5- Publication year: 2010 to date
- Activity sheet
Secondary: Vaccines
Produced by the Health Protection Agency, this e-bug resource contains teacher guidance, stimulus materials and student activity suggestions. It looks at the topic of disease prevention through vaccinations. In the main activity students take part in a simulation to see how vaccines are used to prevent the spread of infections…
Primary: Antibiotics and Medicine
Produced by the Health Protection Agency, this e-Bug resource explores the use of antibiotics and medicine in treating various illnesses and disease. Through a cartoon, students consider a range of scenarios in which the two characters, Amy and Harry, are exposed to germs during their school day. Students discuss the various…
The War Against Malaria
Produced by Understanding Animal Research, this resource is a Key Stage Three science or citizenship activity looking at malaria, one of the world's greatest killers. Why is such a small amount of research funding dedicated to this serious condition? Why should it take a celebrity sufferer, Cheryl Cole, to bring malaria…
Where Do Medicines Come From?
From Understanding Animal Research, these materials help students understand the process of drug discovery and development. Aimed at Key Stage Three students, it shows that the drug discovery process is long and complex and involves several different stages, including basic research, animal testing and clinical trials. The…
- 4/5
- Publication year: 2010 to date
- Activity sheet
Animals in Space
Produced by Understanding Animal Research, this resource looks at how animals have a central part to play in all sorts of research, not just in the development of drugs. This activity illustrates how animals have contributed to space programmes and encourages students to consider the ethical implications of science in an unusual…
How the Peppered Moth Changed Colour
Produced by Nelson Thornes, this resource helps students look at aspects of how science works. In this activity students are presented with raw data from a natural selection simulation and need to record it in a suitable format, draw an appropriate graph and make a conclusion linked to their understanding of the concepts of natural…
Can We Believe the Claims?
Produced by Nelson Thornes, this resource helps students look at aspects of how science works. In particular, students are presented with data from a scientist who is working for a company making a food spread. The company claims that the spread reduces blood cholesterol. Students are asked questions regarding the repeatability,…
Disinfectant Concentration and Effectiveness
Produced by Nelson Thornes, this resource helps students look at aspects of how science works. In this activity students are given the results of an experiment to investigate the effectiveness of different concentrations of disinfectant and their effectiveness at killing bacteria. Students are asked to suggest a prediction, draw…
Carbon Fixation in C4 and CAM Plants
From Nelson Thornes, these activities help students to reinforce their understand of photosynthesis. In particular the mechanisms for carbon fixation by comparing the Calvin cycle with alternative ways of fixing carbon dioxide. Students discuss the advantages of each pathway and understand the conditions that make them beneficial. These…
Gene Therapy Using Artificial Chromosomes
From Nelson Thornes, these activities encourage students to consider the processes involved in gene therapy. Students are presented with an article about a method of gene therapy that uses artificial chromosomes before answering a set of questions comparing this method to more traditional techniques and the possible advantages of…
Investigating the Concept of a Niche
From Nelson Thornes, these activities encourage students to consider their understanding of an ecological niche. Students investigate the idea of a niche and look at the concepts of a fundamental niche and a realised niche. They are also asked to use information on a particular species’ niche, to predict where we may find this…
Neural Toxins and Poisons
From Nelson Thornes, these activities encourage students to investigate nervous transmission by considering the effects of various toxins and poisons on the nervous system. These include botulinum toxin (Clostridium botulinum), tetanospasmin (Clostridium tetani), tetradotoxin (pufferfish) and atropine (Deadly Nightshade). In…
Organic Farming Versus Intensive Farming
From Nelson Thornes, these activities encourage students to analyse and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of organic farming compared with intensive farming. Students are asked to use the information in an article along with their own knowledge to decide whether there is a global future for organic farming, or whether…
Protein Synthesis - Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes
From Nelson Thornes, these activities encourage students to examine the process of protein synthesis. They look at the differences in this process in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Students are asked to consider the detailed mechanisms and assess the benefits of the different methods. These biology resources are aimed at…