Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS): Practical Activities
Innovative and reliable practical activities to engage students with biology, focusing on plant science. Where appropriate, the resources include detailed background information for teachers and technicians, and questions to stimulate discussion with and between students.
The Science & Plants for Schools website includes over 200 resources, starter ideas, and articles, with new resources based around contemporary science added each term.
Science & Plants for Schools has been supporting teachers for over twenty years, and is now based at the University of Cambridge, associated with the Department of Plant Sciences and the Botanic Garden.
HEALTH and SAFETY
Any use of a resource that includes a practical activity must include a risk assessment. Please note that collections may contain ARCHIVE resources, which were developed at a much earlier date. Since that time there have been significant changes in the rules and guidance affecting laboratory practical work. Further information is provided in our Health and Safety guidance.
Growing Pollen Tubes
One of a series of resources from Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS) investigating key topics in plant biology. An enjoyable and thought-provoking introduction to the topic of sexual reproduction in plants. Students observe in real time the growth of a pollen tube, over the course of a lesson. When a pollen grain is released…
Investigating Enzymes: Inhibition of Catechol Oxidase in Bananas
One of a series of resources from Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS) investigating key topics in plant biology. In this practical, student investigate how lead inhibits catechol oxidase, an enzyme which is easily extracted from a banana and which is responsible for turning fruit brown. Measuring the intensity of the brown colour…
Investigating Enzymes: Microscale Investigations with Catalase
One of a series of resources from Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS) investigating key topics in plant biology. A simple yet accurate protocol looking at the results of the enzyme catalase. Catalase is a widespread enzyme, protecting the cell from toxic effects of hydrogen peroxide by catalysing its decomposition into molecular…
Investigating Enzymes: Phosphatase Enzymes in Plants
One of a series of resources from Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS) investigating key topics in plant biology. A standard protocol which is used to extract phosphatase enzymes from plants, including a method to calculate the rate of reaction. Investigations using this protocol can be found on the Science & Plants for Schools…
Investigating Factors Affecting Photosynthesis Using Leaf Discs
One of a series of resources from Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS) investigating key topics in plant biology. An enjoyable and reliable practical activity allowing students to compare factors affecting photosynthesis. Possible investigations could include the rate of photosynthesis in sun and shade plants, and at different…
Investigating Gravitropism Using Seedlings
One of a series of resources from Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS) investigating key topics in plant biology. An intriguing way to demonstrate gravitropism in action over the course of a lesson. Using black film canisters, a freshly cut seedling stalk (hypocotyl) is attached to the lid, the lid replaced, and the resulting…
Investigating Photosynthesis: Can Leaf Discs Make Starch in the Dark?
One of a series of resources from Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS) investigating key topics in plant biology. In this practical activity, students to investigate the role of light in starch production in leaves during the process of photosynthesis. By using leaf discs rather than whole leaves, a number of common misconceptions…
Investigating Phototropism: The Response of Seedlings to Light
One of a series of resources from Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS) investigating key topics in plant biology. This activity offers a simple way to investigate phototropism: the response of seedlings to different wavelengths of light. This technique will help students investigate this tropic response, using seedlings in film…
Investigating Plant Growth Regulators
One of a series of resources from Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS) investigating key topics in plant biology. In this activity, students investigate the effects of the hormone auxin (Indole Acetic Acid or IAA) as a plant growth regulator, giving opportunities to look at auxiliary bud development, root development, and leaf…
Investigating Plant Growth: Growing Radishes in Film Cans
One of a series from Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS) investigating key topics in plant biology. This practical introduces a simple method to grow radishes, for investigations into the effect of a range of factors on plant growth, including levels of pollutants, nutrients, or light levels and temperature. Students use radish…
Investigating Seed Germination
One of a series of resources from Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS) investigating key topics in plant biology. This activity allows students to investigate many factors that influence seed germination, including temperature, light, nutrient levels, pollutant effects, tropisms and so on. It provides a convenient, cheap and replicable…
Measuring Photosynthesis with Cabomba
One of a series of resources from Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS) investigating key topics in plant biology. A reliable way to demonstrate photosynthesis in the classroom. When the pond-weed Cabomba is placed in a solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate in the presence of light of appropriate intensity, it will begin to produce…
TLC for Plant Pigments Involved in Photosynthesis
One of a series of resources from Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS) investigating key topics in plant biology. This reliable and enjoyable practical gives students the opportunity to observe the different pigments involved in photosynthesis using thin layer chromatography (TLC). A low-cost method to get the most out of TLC…
Articles for Post-16 Students
In this cluster of articles, students investigate aspects of plant biology and behaviour including chloroplast genes and how they have helped biologists understand plant evolution; how plants monitor the intensity, direction, colour and duration of the light they receive and if attacked by herbivores or pathogens how plants respond…
Biotechnology
A cluster of practical activities for students to explore biotechnology involving viability of yeast, fruit juice production, milk products, fungal inhibition and microbial growth curves. This cluster of practical activities was originally developed to support the Advanced Higher Biology specification from the Scottish Qualifications…
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Resource by: Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS)
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