Category: Education

Cell walls are complex mixtures of cellulose microfibrils, proteins and other materials. Their mechanical properties can be measured and modeled, but it is not always simple to translate these measurements to changes at the molecular level. Zhang et al. used atomic force microscopy to provide an unprecedented…

Explore the verdant garden of words and phrases rooted in plants through science-oriented word play suitable for sophisticated middle schoolers & up. View resource

The goal of this project is to explain leaf decomposition and how it relates to the Earth's carbon cycle and climate. This website contains a series of animated lessons about decomposition, an interactive model that lets you predict how different types of leaves will decompose in different climates,…

This experiment using agar plates and white mustard seeds allows students to visualise the development of roots, their root hair cells, and observe the zones of elongation and differentiation. They will then use a graticule to measure their length. Students can then extend their investigations to observe…

Students grow both wild-type and dwarf rosette mutants of Wisconsin Fast Plants and experiment with application of gibberellic acid to help provide a visual example of the effects of this plant hormone on plant growth and development. View resource See also Investigating Plant Physiology with Wisconsin…

Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) develops lots of useful resources for teachers of the UK's A-level biology syllabus (OCR, AQA, EdExcel and Eduqas specifications). This is an improved and simplified protocol that allows students to observe mitosis in root tips. Toluidine blue is used to stain…

Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) creates opportunities for teachers and students to find out more about plants and to become more interested in plant science. We are based at the Sainsbury Lab, Cambridge with close links with the Cambridge University Botanic Garden, University of Cambridge Department…

The Digital Library for Earth System Education (DLESE) is a distributed community effort involving educators, students, and scientists working together to improve the quality, quantity, and efficiency of teaching and learning about the Earth system at all levels. DLESE supports Earth system science…