"This has been thoroughly inspirational", "Brilliant", "Loved it", "The lectures from the experts were thought-provoking and well delivered". (2014 participants' feedback)

Sunday 28th June - Wednesday 1st July 2020  CANCELLED in the current format

This course gives a select group of post-16 biology teachers the opportunity to join a plant science summer school hosted by some of the leading lights in biology, ecology and plant science.

The programme aligns with the Gatsby Plant Science Summer School for biology undergraduates, and shares some of its inspiring practical workshops, contemporary plant science research updates, and discussions on the importance and relevance of plant science.

For more details, and to apply for a place on the Plant Science Summer School please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. stating your name, job title, school/college and how many years you have been teaching post-16 biology. We will then send you an application form. The deadline for application forms to be returned is Wednesday 13th May 2020.

Practicals will include:

• Plant Pathology - Track pathogen infections with FERA scientists using PCR and identify common plant pathogens.
• Cell Biology - Use confocal microscopes to experience real-time cell processes visualised with fluorescent proteins.
• Plant Development - Unravel the secrets behind the spiral and body form patterns, programme your own flower plan and re-create plant forms in-silico.
• Plant ID - Experience a foolproof way to identify and plant to family level and practice your field ID skills.

Lectures for 2020:

• "The International Year of Plant Health- what can a cereal killer teach us about sustainable crop disease control?"
• "Topological analysis of multicellular dynamics"
• "Ecological monitoring with citizen science"
• "Three in the bed: coordinating early seed development" 
• "The role of land in tackling climate change"

You can read more about the Gatsby Plant Science Summer School for undergraduates here: www.gatsbysummerschool.org.uk  (Please note that the end date for undergraduates differs from the course end date for teachers.)

Highlights from previous years' speakers can be seen on our 5 minute YouTube taster videos.

Accommodation and bursaries

This residential summer school takes place at the end of the summer term, near York.  You’ll stay in accommodation close to the summer school venue. A generous bursary is available to non-fee paying schools to cover costs and to support the implementation of your professional development. For more information, contact us via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Developing new teaching resources

Inspired by the sessions, you will be supported - during the summer school and afterwards - in producing new teaching and learning resources relevant to current post-16 biology specifications. In time, these will be disseminated via the SAPS website, the ASE annual conference, and the network of Science Learning Centres. The aim is to engage other teachers and students, in line with the mission of the summer school to inspire and motivate future plant scientists. Gatsby, SAPS and STEM Learning value excellent teaching about plants in schools and colleges: this summer school is one way to support and encourage enthusiastic teachers.

One exciting teaching resource developed from the 2010 Summer School is 'An investigation into transpiration using infra-red thermometers'. The Summer School inspired Bev Goodger, a teacher from Sir John Deane's College, Cheshire to design a practical for schools based around an original investigation at the summer school.

Our 'Deadly diseases and plant pathology' resource was developed by teacher Sarah Bayliss after attending the 2011 Summer School.

CSI Trees was developed by Sarah Owens-Hughes  and 'How healthy are your trees?' was developed by Julie Bourne, both after attending the 2013 Summer School.