Teaching Photosynthesis with Confidence and Enthusiasm

Do your students groan when it comes to lessons on photosynthesis? Would you like to strengthen your teaching and support for this essential topic? If so, our Teaching Photosynthesis courses are for you!

Photosynthesis is complex to learn, with common misconceptions occurring throughout, and is frequently disliked by students.

We at Science and Plants for Schools believe that things can be different.

To support your teaching of photosynthesis at age 11-16, we have developed 5 research-informed short courses, using our plant science education expertise and the science education experience of STEM Learning. The 5 courses are all online, can be completed in any order and can be treated as stand-alone mini-courses or followed as a sequence to build to a longer course. All courses are free of charge.

Refresh your subject knowledge of photosynthesis, explore research-informed approaches to addressing and avoiding misconceptions, and discover teaching strategies to use with your students, ensuring you are ready to teach photosynthesis with confidence and enthusiasm.

The courses in the series are:

The equation

Deepen student understanding of the photosynthesis equation, tackling misconceptions head on and helping them to better appreciate the fundamental importance of photosynthesis to life on Earth and how incredible it really is.

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Physiology & limiting factors

Secure student understanding of the relation between plant structure and function in relation to photosynthesis, helping them see how plants are supremely adapted to carry out this fundamental process of biology. Explore what limits the rate of photosynthesis and how these factors are relevant beyond classroom practical work.

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Carbon for growth & respiration

Anticipate and address common student misconceptions about respiration in plants and how respiration relates to photosynthesis. Ensure students understand that the products of photosynthesis are not only used in respiration but also in building a whole range of biological molecules that contain carbon. Build on this knowledge to strengthen student understanding of the carbon cycle.

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Ecology & energetics

Apply the language of energy stores and transfers to photosynthesis and link learning in biology to learning in physics to strengthen student understanding of the energetics of photosynthesis. Explore the importance of the transfer of energy and biomass through ecological systems, supporting understanding of the vital role of photosynthesis to the whole of life on Earth.

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Practical work

Refresh your knowledge of photosynthesis practical activities and perhaps encounter some new ideas to help make the abstract concepts and invisible processes of photosynthesis tangible and observable. Build your knowledge of how to have the best chance of success in photosynthesis practical work and what steps to take if things do not go to plan. Explore how practicals can both address and introduce misconceptions and discover strategies to address these issues.

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These courses are designed as professional development for teachers of science or biology for 11-16 year olds. Technicians will particularly benefit from the Practical work course but are of course welcome to do any of the other courses.

Each course takes between 2 and 3 hours to complete, and you can leave and return to it at any time.

If you have any questions about or comments on these new courses please contact us at saps@botanic.cam.ac.uk