Adaptation

Primary Booklet: Reproduction and Life Cycles - Part 1

This booklet and its accompanying resources have been updated to support the new Primary Curriculum.

A method using film pots (adapted from the traditional 4-pot technique), suitable for primary aged children, and useful to illustrate the whole life cycle in a short space of time and with plants that are small enough to keep in the classroom.

The Life Cycle of a Flowering Plant

A sequencing activity based on the stages and events in the life cycle of a flowering plant, illustrated by the rapid-cycling Brassica.

The amazing concertina cactus

Do you have a dried up cactus lurking in your classroom? Treasure it - it is a valuable educational resource.

Plants & Literacy - Games with cards 1

More activities that help establish vocabulary (root, stem, leaf, and parts of a flower) - useful as “starters” or “plenaries” and identifying children’s misconceptions

Create a Plant

Suggestions as to how to make a plant using a variety of materials . . . drinking straws for the stem, pipe cleaners or wool for the roots and all sorts of ideas for the flower - an opportunity to be creative and develop cross-curricular links

Designing a Seed

Using junk materials to make their seed, this activity provides an opportunity for creative thinking and developing literacy and presentation skills - children are asked to design a seed from a newly discovered plant and their discussions can link to the topics of both seed germination and seed dispersal.

Food Miles

This activity stimulates students to think about the long distances travelled by foods. This activity, based on an original idea developed at Kew, is treated very simply here, but of course it could lead to much deeper issues such as types of transport, how long and how far food has travelled, pollution, cutting down forests and the effect on wildlife and local people.

A Leaf in Time - A Popular Introduction to Photosynthesis

Using photosynthesis as the link, this beautifully produced book looks at a range of topics of interest to pupils especially at Y5 and 6 (animals and plants are interdependent, process of photosynthesis, greenhouse effect, energy conservation)

Primary Booklet - Plants in their Natural Environment

This booklet and its accompanying resources have been updated to support the new Primary Curriculum.

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.

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.

Investigating leaf adaptations - why do nettles sting?

In this activity, students investigate a selection of plant leaves to discover how they are adapted to deter herbivores, looking specifically at stinging nettles and docks.

Investigating how plants use colour to attract pollinators: Introducing STEM Careers

In this investigation, students look at the way in which flowering plants use colour to attract pollinators, and particularly bees. They carry out a variety of short practicals and research activities.The investigation is put in a STEM Careers context through a case study of plant scientist Dr Beverley Glover,

Microscopy - Looking at xylem and specialised cells

Resources to show how you can use microscopes for quick, cheap and easy practicals in your lab. These two resources focus on looking at the structure and function of xylem and other specialised plant cells.

Ecology Practical 3 - Abundance and random sampling at Waun Las Nature Reserve, Wales

This ecology practical activity introduces topics and key fieldwork skills including random sampling, measuring abundance, diversity and plant identification. In addition, it allows students to consider the effects of land management strategies on plant diversity.

Using Venus' Fly Trap in the Lab

One of the SAPS Star Plants, Darwin called the Venus' Fly Trap 'one of the most wonderful plants in the world'. Great for teaching about adaptation and interdependence.

Using Broad Beans in the Lab

Broad beans are quick and reliable to germinate in the lab, and an excellent example for topics including nutrient cycles, nitrogen fixation and mutualism.

Using Daisies in the Lab

Daisies are inobtrusive plants, but together with other playing field plants, they make a useful resource for simple fieldwork investigations.

Using Sundews in the Lab

A SAPS 'Star Plant' for your lab, with a wonderful example of adaptation. Follow our care tips to ensure the plants flourish in your lab.

Articles tagged as "Adaptation"