These free teaching resources and biology practical investigation ideas are referred to directly within theAQA GCSE Science B (Science in Context), for teaching from 2011.

The below links refer to biology components of the specification that we have guidance for.

Many other practical investigations and resources to support your teaching are available throughout the SAPS website. Please go to Secondary Resources for a filterable index of other resources available.

Unit 1 Theme 1

Collect gas produced by aquatic plants and test for oxygen

• Practical: Investigating photosynthesis with Cabomba

Grow Brassica plants with various additives

• Practical: Planting instructions for Rapid Cycling Brassicas

Unit 1 Theme 2

Investigate the effect of light on the growth of seedlings

• Practical: The response of seedlings to light

Investigate the effect of rooting compounds and weed killers on the growth of plants

• Practical: Wembley weed killer challenge

Investigate plant growth, varying the conditions, eg degrees of shade, density of sowing, supply of nutrients

• Practical: The effects of different levels of minerals on plant growth

Look at variation in leaf length or width, pod length and height. Compare plants growing in different conditions – sun/shade

• Practical: What determines the number of spines on a holly leaf

Unit 2

Genetic variation

• Video clip - Variation, inheritance and the work of Mendel.

• Video clip - Muriel Weldale and complex gene interactions

• Video clip - William Bateson and patterns of inheritance

Unit 3 Theme 2

Grow new plants from tissue culture

• Practical: Cloning cauliflower