Resources by Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS)

TLC for Plant Pigments Involved in Photosynthesis

One of a series of resources from Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS) investigating key topics in plant biology. This reliable and enjoyable practical gives students the opportunity to observe the different pigments involved in photosynthesis using thin layer chromatography (TLC). A low-cost method to get the...

Transport of Water and Sugar in Plants

This animation allows students to view the key processes of plant transport in xylem and phloem. It is intended for both GCSE and A-level / post-16 biology teaching, and has sufficient detail and accuracy for both.

Tree rings

This teaching package, aimed at Key Stages Two and Three, investigates the science of tree rings (dendrochronology). Linked to the topics of plants and living things and their habitats, it looks at cut tree trunks to determine the age of the tree, how fast it grew and...

Upgrading Whey

Whey is a waste product from the cheese industry. In this experiment students upgrade whey, by converting the lactose into glucose and galactose, or by growing the microorganism K.lactis on agar containing whey.

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Using Tissue Culture and 'Cloning' for Rare Plant Conservation

In this resource, students carry out a 'cauliflower cloning' tissue culture practical to investigate totipotency in plants. The practical is placed in the context of a STEM careers case study, to give students a broader understanding of the underlying science.

Students are introduced to Jonathan Kendon, a...

Water Potential During Ripening and Storage

This investigation, produced by Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS), shows how students could investigate the changes in water potential of fruits and vegetables during ripening and storage.

Simple biomechanical...

What determines the number of spines on a holly leaf?

Produced by Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS), this activity enables students to:
•    develop knowledge and understanding of structural defence mechanisms in plants
•    develop problem solving skills
•    demonstrate the processing of information and use of calculations

The...

What Is Wood?

This student sheet invites students to consider lignification in detail. Students take thin sections from successive internodes of the shoot and calculate the lignification index of each section. These can then be compared with sections from other parts of the plants to consider where lignin is deposited in other...

Wild Oats on the Move

In this experiment, from Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS), students are required to make observations about wild oat seeds. Using a petri dish, glass jar, filter paper and water, students can recreate the conditions of a greenhouse. They can then observe the changes to direction of the awn (the long hair at...