Practical

Here you will find a selection of resources that have been carefully selected with your students in mind. The resources contain a mixture of videos, animations, practicals and some which are intended for learning outside where possible. Grouped by the anticipated age of the students, we have tried to be mindful of availability of equipment in order to undertake these activities. Over the coming weeks we will be adding to this bank of resources so watch this space.

A-level set practicals - investigating flower structure and function in primulas

In this activity, students follow in Darwin’s footsteps, investigating primulas. They will dissect and record primula flowers, which grow in two forms: ‘pin-eyed’ and ‘thrum-eyed’. This resource is designed to meet the specifications for the A-level practical endorsement in England (CPAC). However, given its focus on adaptation and evolution, it will make a valuable resource for those following a variety of different specifications, such as the Advanced Higher Biology Organisms and Evolution Unit.

Plant disease practicals - identifying the cause of brown rot

In this practical activity, suitable for the new GCSE specifications, students explore how the technique of re-infection (using infected material to infect healthy plant tissue) can help to identify the cause of a plant disease.

Plant disease practicals - powdery mildew

In this practical activity, designed for the new GCSE specifications, students collect samples of leaves showing samples of infection with powdery mildew, and send them to the powdery mildew survey for analysis.

Plant disease practicals - Investigating violet bramble rust

In this practical activity, designed for the new GCSE specifications, students use magnification to examine leaves showing symptoms of a common plant disease, and produce labelled drawings of the fungal spores.

A-level set practicals - microscopy of root tip mitosis

An improved and simplified version of this well-known practical, designed specifically for use for the new A-level practical specifications.

A-level set practicals - dissection and scientific drawing

This resource is designed to support the use of practicals across various new 2015 A-level biology specifications (OCR, AQA, Edexcel and Eduqas). Students learn to produce a scientific drawing from observation. Drawing from observation is both a valuable skill in itself, and a way for students to develop their understanding and appreciation of living organisms.

A-level set practicals - factors affecting rates of photosynthesis

This updated version of our popular 'algal balls' resource is designed to support the use of practicals across various new 2015 A-level biology specifications (OCR, AQA, Edexcel and Eduqas). Students conduct an investigation into factors affecting the rates of photosynthesis, using a colorimeter to record quantitative measurements

Ins and Outs of Water - biology, chemistry and physics for 11-14 students

This collection of resources for 11-14 students uses the topic of plants to address important scientific ideas in biology, chemistry and physics. While investigating how plants have evolved to grow and flourish in many different environments, the students can cover topics including pure and impure substances, energetics, forces, physical changes and more. The resources involve a mixture of independent investigations, engaging and hands-on practicals, and activities to identify misconceptions and strengthen understanding.

Plant Needs - biology, chemistry and physics for 11-14 students

This collection of resources for 11-14 students uses the topic of plants to address important scientific ideas in biology, chemistry and physics. While investigating how plants have evolved to grow and flourish in many different environments, the students can cover topics about atoms, elements and compounds, energy, and the particle model. The resources involve a mixture of independent investigations, engaging and hands-on practicals, and activities to identify misconceptions and strengthen understanding.

Seed Dispersal - physics and biology at Key Stage 3

This collection of resources for 11-14 students uses the topic of plants to address important scientific ideas in biology and physics. While investigating how plants have evolved to disperse their seeds in different environments, the students can cover topics about forces, pressure in fluids, and forces and motion. The resources involve a mixture of independent investigations, engaging and hands-on practicals, and activities to identify misconceptions and strengthen understanding.

A-level set practicals - TLC of plant photosynthetic pigments

This new resource supports the use of practicals across various new 2015 A-level biology specifications (OCR, AQA, Edexcel and Eduqas). Students conduct Thin Layer Chromatography individually or in pairs to separate and identify the photosynthetic pigments from plant material within half an hour. This simple method has been designed to produce good separation of photosynthetic pigments using solvents that are suitable for use in a school biology laboratory.

A-level set practicals - using a potometer

This new resource supports the use of practicals across various 2015 A-level biology specifications. The simple potometer allows students to measure the rate of transpiration of a plant specimen within a one hour lesson. Students can record the water loss at regular intervals and could investigate the effect of different abiotic factors on the rate of transpiration.

A-level set practicals - dissection and microscopy of a plant stem

This new resource supports the use of practicals across various A-level biology specifications. This experiment allows students to go from the plant on the desk, to observing a stained specimen under the microscope in less than 4 minutes. The viewed specimen clearly shows the location of vascular bundles and the xylem, phloem and sclerenchyma or collenchyma.

A-level set practicals collection

These brand new resources support the use of practicals across all A-level biology specifications (OCR, AQA and Edexcel).

CSI Trees - investigating plant pathogens

A sickly tree might not look like much of a crime scene, but the influx of pathogens on plants is causing increasing concern in the UK. In this resource, students take on the role of plant pathologists, asking questions to determine the cause of a tree's death.

Gravitropism at post-16 - the Role of Roots

This post-16 resource looks at root growth, with a focus on gravitropism. Using agar plates and white mustard seeds, students can visualise the development of roots, their root hair cells, observe the zones of elongation and differentiation and illustrates gravitropism very effectively in roots.

Revising A-level Biology: Plants 'R' Mint

'Revising A-level Biology: Plants ‘r’ mint' is an innovative revision resource, designed to encourage synoptic thinking and to develop a broader understanding of biology in A2 students. Each of the four student revision packs brings together a range of topics in animal, human and plant biology, centred on a common theme. The revision packs are intended to stretch and challenge students.

Tackling tropisms: gravitropism and phototropism

This set of demonstrations into the effects of tropisms on seedlings is both simple and extendable. Seeds sown on damp cotton wool in (plastic) Petri dishes are grown either flat, or stuck vertically to a wall. Students enjoy the dramatic effect of sticking Petri dishes to the wall, and you will have well-grown seedlings within a week, showing the different effects of gravitropism and phototropism.

Sugar, starch or cellulose? What carbohydrates do plants make?

This resource tackles the learning objective ‘“Carbohydrates can be found in a range of plant organs”. This is activity 4 in the ‘Photosynthesis: A Survival Guide’ scheme. Pupils can test a variety of plant products for different sorts of carbohydrates, including glucose, starch and cellulose. These plant products can be fresh fruit and vegetables, but it is also interesting to test materials such as cotton wool and egg boxes, which contain a high proportion of cellulose. This is another good opportunity to get students engaged in practical work related to photosynthesis and will stretch their understanding of the carbohydrates.

Articles tagged as "Practical"