Articles tagged as "14 -16 (KS4)"

Bog Core Analysis and Climate Change

This activity looks at the change in vegetation in a location in Norfolk between c. 12,000 years before present and 2,000 years BP. Students carry out a simulation of a bog core analysis, and use the resulting data to think about either climate change (14-16 students) or succession and climate change (post-16 students)

Pollen and other Airborne Particles

Construct your own school pollen trap to isolate and identify the pollen and other airborne particles that contribute to respiratory illness

How Science Works - What do plants need to grow?

This resource takes a lively approach to the advantages of growing plants hydroponically, and looks at the nutrients the plants will need.

How Science Works - Copper Pollution from Mines

This resource considers how pollution from copper mines affects growth of plants, including a data analysis activity and a practical.

Photosynthesis - A Survival Guide for Teachers

Struggling to teach photosynthesis and keep it fresh? This resource collection includes Powerpoints, practical activities and student worksheets for KS3 (11-14) helps teachers take a new and refreshing look at photosynthesis.

Protoplast Isolation

Protoplasts (cells which have had their cell wall removed) can be isolated from a range of plant tissues. This resource introduces protoplasts and gives a technique for isolating them.

Ecology Practical 2 - The distribution of species across a footpath

A simple ecology practical simulation, giving students an opportunity to practice using systematic sampling to investigate changes in species richness across a footpath, before they carry out practical fieldwork.

'Fast Plants' - Rapid-Cycling Brassica Kits

Kits for 'fast plants' - follow the complete life-cycle of these fast plants in only half a term!

Investigating Photosynthesis with the SAPS / NCBE Photosynthesis Kit

This kit, supplied by the NCBE, allows students to investigate photosynthesis using algae immobilised in calcium alginate.

The SAPS ELISA kit for Botrytis

The SAPS ELISA kit for Botrytis has been developed as a low cost way to bring practical immunology into the classroom, including equipment, the necessary antibodies, the substrate and a Botrytis culture

Investigating Plant Evolution: amplifying chloroplast DNA using PCR

The protocols in this kit describe the extraction of DNA from fresh plant material, its treatment with room temperature-stable restriction enzymes and the use of simple gel electrophoresis to examine the results of this treatment.

Seeing without eyes - how plants learn from light: an article for post-16 Students

Plants detect the intensity, direction, colour, and duration of light and use this information to regulate their growth and metabolism. This article is written specifically for post-16 students, and includes teachers' notes.

Investigating transpiration with a potometer

In this practical experiment, students look at how at potometer can be used to measure factors affecting transpiration rates, and develop investigations to compare the transpiration rates under different circumstances.

Photosynthesis and leaf adaptation: how sun and shade plants respond to light

In this interesting practical investigations, students look at the rate of photosynthesis in plants from different habitats, and then consider what this demonstrates about adaptation. Leaf discs taken from sun and shade plants are immersed in a sodium hydrogen carbonate solution and exposed to either white or green light. The oxygen produced by photosynthesis causes the leaves to float. The time the leaves take to float can thus be used as an indirect measure of the rate of photosynthesis.

Investigating Fertilisers: the effects of minerals on plant growth

Fertilisers play a key role in increasing the productivity of food crops, whether that's tomatoes in a school greenhouse or vast fields of maize.In this SAPS Scotland Higher Still, students investigate the effects of different levels of minerals (nitrates, phosphates and potassium) on the growth of radishes. It generates plenty of quantitative results, suitable for analysis.

Stomatal opening and closing in Commelina communis

This investigation looks at the function of stomata in transpiration, with a focus on how osmosis and the state of turgor in guard cells affects the opening and closing of stomata. It will also develop students' microscope skills.

Video demo - Investigations with Venus' Fly Traps

In this activity, perfect for STEM science clubs, students investigate what causes a Venus' Fly Trap to shut its trap. These experiments are related to a series of investigations that Darwin carried out as part of his work on evolution and adaptation. A great activity for science clubs.

Wild Oats on the Move - Demonstrating Adaptation in Plants

This enjoyable practical demonstration shows plants 'on the move', encouraging students to think about the adaptations that make the Wild Oat such an invasive weed. The Wild Oats awn (hair) is hygroscopic and moves rapidly (within a minute) in response to small changes in humidity. This practical makes a great STEM science club activity or a demonstration for a school open evening.

Creating a Model Ecosystem with Brine Shrimps: a Science Club Activity

Have you ever thought of making a model planet where the ecosystem is almost closed to everything except light? A great idea for STEM science clubs that can be extended for ecology investigations at KS4 and post-16 biology projects.

Investigations with Carnivorous Plants: science club activity

Carnivorous plants can capture your pupils' imagination with a wide range of cunning tactics to deceive and entrap their prey. In addition a variety of experiments can be performed on the remarkable digestive physiology of these plants. These make great activities for a STEM science club, or as a an activity for a gardening club when it rains.