Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS)

Ravenala agathea seeds found in the seed bank. Credit: Tony Jolliffe/BBC News.

A leaf with the sun shining on it.

🚨Newsletter🚨

In this edition of the #newsletter we bring you:
🌱A resource on variation in plants
🧑‍🔬News of a new CPD course with @stemlearning.bsky.social
🔬SAPS at @associationscied.bsky.social AC'26
📚Plant science news stories

👀Read here: zc.vg/toqrI?m=0
#plantsci @cleapss.bsky.social @rsb.org.uk

A great way for your students to show their creative flair. Let's get plants featured! 🧑‍🎨🗜️🎨♻️🌿

#plantsci #plantscience #BiologyWeek #BioCraft #BioCraftComp #ArtCompetition

@rsb.org.uk @stemlearning.bsky.social @associationscied.bsky.social

The Importance of Biology - Science & Plants for Schools This article provides a framework that teachers can use to help students can build up the skills to appreciate the importance of biology.

We want to highlight 'the importance of biology' in society through your teaching. Our article provides a framework that can be used with your biology students to:

😄bring joy
🏹inform intervention
🤔develop tools
🤯trigger inspiration
🔀inform decisions
🔎find answers

👁 www.saps.org.uk/growth-hub/t...

@rsb.org.uk

@rsb.org.uk

@rsb.org.uk

@rsb.org.uk

Our #ecology online resources allow for the development of key skills. Students can explore:

📐measuring abundance
🪻random sampling
🏞️distribution of species

Perfect for #BiologyWeek #nature #climate
Search 'ecology' at www.saps.org.uk

@royalsocbio.bsky.social @stemlearning.bsky.social

A screenshot of Science Club activities offered by SAPS.

Why not kickstart @royalsocbio.bsky.social #BiologyWeek next week by gathering your students & coming up with a plan for a #ScienceClub? 👩‍🎓🧑‍🎓🍏🍎👨‍🌾👩‍🌾

Engage them with #Nature & #Climate. 🍃🌍

We have suggestions for activities:
www.saps.org.uk/resource-col...

#STEM #plantsci @stemlearning.bsky.social

A screenshot featuring the range of SAPS posters.

If you haven't already, decorate your lab for #BiologyWeek Each poster contains resources linked to areas of #plantsci. Topics include:

🧫plant disease
💼careers
💚real-life contexts
🎉the wonder of plants

View & download for free: www.saps.org.uk/resource-col...

@royalsocbio.bsky.social

@royalsocbio.bsky.social #BiologyWeek is fast approaching (11-19/10). This year the theme is #Nature & #Climate

Over the next few days keep an eye out on here for resources & ideas to use in your lab. 🍃🌎

For resources featured by the RSB including by SAPS, visit: www.rsb.org.uk/biology-week...

The #google doodle today is 'Learning about Photosynthesis'. Definitely our favourite doodle to date 💚

Check out our range of resources on #photosynthesis using the search & filter on: www.saps.org.uk

You will find practical resources, videos, quizzes & an animation! 🌱🫧❔

@royalsocbio.bsky.social

@royalsocbio.bsky.social @associationscied.bsky.social @stemlearning.bsky.social @chatbiology.bsky.social

Accessible Science is a chance for your A-level students to hear from world-leading researchers about their work. On 7 Oct, live-streamed talks to cover plants, genomics, human health & careers in science. 🌱

🏫Register your school: jic.link/NBIAST2025
🖱️Programme: jic.link/NBIAST2025-P...

#plantsci

A view of our stand at a previous conference.

Exploring our practical focusing on dissection and scientific drawing at a previous conference.

Conference delegates making use of the microscopes at a previous conference.

Delegates from a previous conference carrying out our osmosis practical using bell pepper pericarp tissue.

Join us at the #ASEConf2026 at the Uni of Nottingham from 8-10 Jan. Exhibiting & facilitating CPD sessions throughout the conf:

🔬Teaching #microscopy using #plants
🥼Practical work for #technicians

Book your early bird tickets now: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/2026-ase-a... @associationscied.bsky.social

Have you read the updated #GatsbyBenchmarks?
View here: www.gatsbybenchmarks.org.uk

Your 16-19 y/o students can head over to our sister-site where they can find info & guidance for their next steps.
www.plantsciencefutures.org.uk/why-plant-sc...

@stemlearning.bsky.social @royalsocbio.bsky.social

Misconceptions in Biology - Science & Plants for Schools This article looks at assessing and addressing misconceptions in biology using the common misconception that plants only photosynthesise and only animals respire as an example.

✅Hit misconceptions head-on by:

• approaching them with animations
• assessing misconceptions
• challenging them with practical work

Hear from practising teachers too! 🌿

🔎 www.saps.org.uk/growth-hub/m...

#plantsci @royalsocbio.bsky.social @stemlearning.bsky.social @associationscied.bsky.social

A screenshot of the 'Why do leaves change colour in the autumn?' RSB resource.

@royalsocbio.bsky.social #BiologyWeek (11 Oct) is fast approaching.

Check out their resources including a practical activity 'Why do leaves change colour in autumn?' here: www.rsb.org.uk/biology-week...

Also available:
🌱School & home resources
🌱Games
🌱Quizzes

What are you planning? 👂
#plantsci

This makes for an interesting read 👀

Also, check out our resource looking at variation in plants and encouraging your students to notice variation in plants. An ideal homework activity: www.saps.org.uk/teaching-res... 🔍

#plantscience #plantsci 🌿

Sending our congratulations and best wishes to all the students collecting their #GCSE results today 🍀

Now for more #plantscience ... 💚

#gcseresultsday2025 #examresults2025

a small plant is growing in a pot of soil ALT: a small plant is growing in a pot of soil

Thank you to all the science #teachers & #technicians for your part in developing & supporting the biologists & plant scientists of the future. 💚

Today is the start of the next adventure... 🎒

#Results #ALevelResults #plantscience

a poster that says hard work pays off with two penguins picking vegetables ALT: a poster that says hard work pays off with two penguins picking vegetables

Congrats to all of the #Teachers and #Technicians in Scotland who have seen the results of their hard work through their students today. 👏

Today marks the start of their next adventure... 😃

#Results #examresults2025 #plantsci

A line of trees in an aerial view representing the line of a heart rate.

When it comes to supporting your teaching & tech support - we want our finger on the pulse.

Tell us how you think we are doing & how we can better support you with our annual #survey
To show our appreciation of your time, there are prizes to be won!

✏️https://survey.zohopublic.com/zs/C4aMgb

Alstroemeria flowers are often use for the development of dissection skills and scientific writing.

Bananas offering an unexpected view of chlorophyll.

Our 'Awesome Plants' poster comes with wow real-life examples of plant science and accompanying resources.

Bramble rust seen under the lens of a microscope.

Calling Early Career Teachers 🎙️

Are you in need of help & support for teaching #biology using plants? Looking to explore resources developed for teaching key principles?

Join on 18/09 for the @rsc.org New #Teacher Series. Free!
Sign-up: edu.rsc.org/.../teaching... 💚

Also in series, CLEAPSS & IOP.

Image: One of only four Snowdonia Hawkweeds known to exist. Credit: Robbie Blackhall-Miles / BBC.

Image: Using paper and acetate printouts to work out the thickness of a sunflower leaf. 

🗞️NEWS🗞️
Our latest newsletter is available with our Annual Survey (prizes to be won), new resources, free CPD for early career teachers, news stories and much more! 🌱
Read online here: zc.vg/hO838?m=0 👀

#plantsci #microscopy
@associationscied.bsky.social @stemlearning.bsky.social@cleapss.bsky.social

Plants, Sustainability & Science Education🌱🌎🍎

Join us with @chrisgraham.bsky.social for a session at the Secondary Science Festival at Bedford College on 8th July.

For more info & to book, use the QR code. 📲

@cleapss.bsky.social @fieldstudiesc.bsky.social @stemlearning.bsky.social

Teachers immersed in developing ideas for new resources.

Teachers preparing for the vascular stem microscopy practical.

The teachers using microscopy to identify cells.

Our #plantscience #summerschool teachers have been immersed in all things plant science. From lectures on contemporary research, practical workshops to resource development - the teachers will be leaving with an armour of new material and a network of plant-proud teachers.

💚🌱🎒🧑‍🏫👩‍🏫

Professor Anne Osbourn in conversation with the Summer School teachers.

Prof Anne Osbourn inspired our teachers no-end with a fascinating talk on harnessing plant metabolic diversity for therapeutic applications. "Finding drugs in the garden"💊🌱
So many questions answered. The teachers' students are in for a treat💚
#plantscience #summerschool @johninnescentre.bsky.social

Teachers sitting down with Dr Edwige Moyroud after the lecture for a Q&A.

After a truly fascinating lecture looking at how plants pattern their petal with Dr Edwige Moyroud, the teachers were able to sit down for a Q&A & explore how this unique are of plant development can be brought into the classroom🌺

Is Hibiscus trionum the *new* model plant? 🤔
#plantsci #summerschool