all picks
A selection of short, engaging practical demonstrations on various biology, chemistry and physics topics. The page also leads to many other useful resources. You will need to join TES in order to download the demonstrations but it is free and only takes 30 seconds!
A powerpoint activity covering different specialised cells. Includes: sperm and egg cells, nerve cells, palisade cells (plant), ciliated cells, root hair cells and red blood cells.
Many different resources on adaptation, biodiversity and habitat loss, invasive species, variation and classification. Video clips, photos, teachers notes, worksheets, games. Covers plants and animals.
OPAL surveys and activities in your area, identification guides and Kids Zone with activities and quizes. Survey you can join, such as earthworms, bugs, trees.
Great selection of keys to help students identify fungi out in the field.
A fact sheet about Carl Linnaeus made by the Linnean Society to explain his achievements including how to identify and classify different organisms.
A factsheet about Alfred Russel Wallace on his expeditions and developing a theory of evolution.
A selection of short, engaging practical demonstrations on various biology, chemistry and physics topics. The page also leads to many other useful resources. You will need to join TES in order to download the demonstrations but it is free and only takes 30 seconds!
Worksheets and details of practical work to illustrate many aspects of rocks, weathering, rock cycle and carbon cycle.
OPAL surveys and activities in your area, identification guides and Kids Zone with activities and quizes. Survey you can join, such as earthworms, bugs, trees.
Many different resources on adaptation, biodiversity and habitat loss, invasive species, variation and classification. Video clips, photos, teachers notes, worksheets, games. Covers plants and animals.
A factsheet about Alfred Russel Wallace on his expeditions and developing a theory of evolution.
Fully-equipped RMS Microscope Activity Kit to your school, providing microscopes for schools as well as ready to go activities, giving you everything that you need to reveal microscopic life and structures across all the curriculum.
Some lovely images and animations. The commentary may be a bit advanced for 11 year olds and pupils could get lost in this fascinating site.
An excellent flash animation that helps pupils to understand how small cells are. Different cells (and a dust mite) are placed on a pin head and you can zoom in to seem them.
Bitesize revision on cells and systems leading to an activity and a test.
Bitesize revision of the unit leading to a self test.
Thousands of video clips ideal for researching different animals. Pupils can investigate habitats, diet, body shape, distributions etc for project/poster work.
An excellent site with lots of information, pictures and videos of different vertebrates.
Flash interactive based on sexual practices of a range of different organisms.
A simple introduction to photosynthesis.
Bitesize revision on different aspects of food chains. Information, an activity and a test.
This Bitesize site includes a simple flash activity, revision and quiz on a woodland habitat. Would be a good starter for this unit/topic
Learn some of the basics about micro-organisms with this e-source and find out how microbes get into food. Age range given as 14-16 - may be challenging for some pupils.
Bitesize revision covering microbes and disease. Stduents can work through each section. At the end of each section is an activity and a short test.
A role play game that helps pupils understand the relationship between fungi and trees and the cycling of nutrients.
Free posters from the Linnean Society to download (or order printed copies) on biodiversity, conservation, classification and evolution.
A role play game that helps pupils understand the relationship between fungi and trees and the cycling of nutrients.
A role play activity looking at the relationships between plants and fungi - identifying defence mechanisms of plants and fungi.
Fact sheets free to download that discuss the impacts of fungi on their environments
This practical activity allows students to directly observe protoctista in a sample of water. This helps to reinforce understanding on how water-borne pathogens can be responsible for the spread of disease. It also helps students practice their skills in microscopy and making observations. Protoctista are readily available from suppliers or simply from samples of pond water. Teacher notes, apparatus list and method are included.
The resource details a student investigate into the effect of different preservatives on frozen peas. It helps students to understand that food decay is caused by the action of microbes, and therefore preservatives work by reducing microbe activity. Teacher notes, apparatus list, safety guidance and student instructions are included.
Resource to support students identifying bacteria cultured on agar.
Give pupils an idea of how small cells are with this animation. Requires Java
A game in which pupils can identify a aquatic creature using a dichotomous key.
Drag and drop classification game. Pupils can click on organisms for further information. When completed it links to a quiz.
Novel investigation into how cows align themselves in fields. Includes using quadrats and repeating readings. Lesson plan, video clips and worksheets provided.
Images and instructions for building a bug and making origami bugs.
downloadable booklet and worksheets on mushrooms, toadstools, moulds and other fungi.
A page linking to an animated interactive explanation of photosynthesis.
Game that shows the effects of soil pH on the growth of different plants.
An activity to first select living things from a woodland habitat, then learn more about them and place them in a food web and a key.
Simple quiz activity in which pupils decide whether an animal is suited to a particular habitat. Gives some good background information on animals and their habitats.
An extensive animated website in which pupils can find out about ecosystems and the impact human activities have on the environment. Message designed for 6-9 year olds, so a bit basic for this age group
Three drag and drop activities - useful as a starter or plenary- in which pupils have to put organisms into their correct positions in a food web.
Contains a quiz and information on two animals and how they relate to their environment.
Click on the Food Chains link to reach an interactive activity in which pupils can find out about food chains in 3 different habitats: woodland, seashore and river.
Living things need energy. Follow the energy from the Sun to build 2 food chains.
An interactive resource modelling population fluctuations within a community (rabbits / foxes and microorganisms / antibiotics). Teachers notes and worksheets available.
An interactive activity in which you can find out about four ecosystems in Florida.
An activity in which pupils can find out about food webs and pyramids and energy transfer.
Interactive exercise to keep a Sand Lizard alive for a day.
Novel investigation into how cows align themselves in fields. Includes using quadrats and repeating readings. Lesson plan, video clips and worksheets provided.
This activity has been designed for pupils to explore the growth of a population of rabbits over a fixed period of time.
Experiments to investigate how colour affects a creature's chance of survival. Online resources include a short video, the I'm a Worm game and downloadable resources, including kit notes for teachers, students and technicians
Games and worksheets about animals and different habitats.
On this page, there is a UK map, and using the slider bar you can find out where and when a number of species first appear. Also many other resources available.
This virtual pond dip introduces some of the commoner organisms to be found. Each organism's relative size is to scale in the image; actual sizes are given in the factfiles. See also the Pond Life Identification Kit pages.
Aimed at 16+ but some great gallery pictures and cool simulators for various types of microscope
Practical instruction guide for Students and Teachers
Experiments in pollen and seed germination, a teachers guide.
The Body is currently the best of modern cut out activities that now feature 3D organs to position. In several return visits you might also look at muscles, nerves and the skeleton.
Good animations on the history of the compound microscope. There are several interactive activities to try.
Good notes comparing plant and animal cells with a quick quiz to test knowledge.
Good background information on different organ systems.
A good animation in which pupils can learn about the four tissue types that make up the human body.
Handy tips on using a light microscope and a guide to magnification.
A lot deeper than needed at this level but some interesting activities and information none the less. Variation occurs in al living things and this can be used as a basis of classification
Some anatomical line drawings of bugs. Get pupils to devise a key to distinguish between them using their features.
Information handout for invertebrate families with a quiz/test at the end.
A huge online database of the Animal Kingdom. Contains lots of pictures, animal sounds and extensive links to other sites. Good for carrying out research into the animal kingdom. Written by school students for school students.
This website provides information about the diversity of organisms on Earth, their evolutionary history (phylogeny), and characteristics.
Useful fact sheet for collecting and identifying minibeasts
Bitesize revision of MRS GREN (to tell the difference between living and non-living thing), followed by a short test self-test.
Research activity - could ask students to find 10 facts that interest them and give a presentation to the class
Information for students on protozoa
A good site for revision, background reading or research. Lovely images but slow to load.
Photographs and information showing the effects of deforestation.
A labelled diagram showing the structure of a flowering plant.
A range of exciting teaching resources, including practical ideas, designed to stimulate and enthuse pupils about the world of plants. The resources have been written to help teachers deliver the topic in a variety of ways using a variety of teaching strategies.
Bitesize revision covering plants and photosynthesis. Includes information, an activity and a short test.
Well presented page on energy flow on ecosystems, with good animations. The emphasis is on energy transfers in the human food chain.
Practical instruction guide for Students and Teachers
Diagram showing the structure of a leaf. Explanation of the functions of some of the key parts of a leaf.
A virtual rocky shore to explore. Shows the different organisms living in different parts of the shore.
Some good information on food chains and food webs. There is a drag and drop flash exercise to test knowledge.
Useful fact sheet for collecting and identifying minibeasts
Information on energy transfer through a food chain.
Good pages from BBC bitesize on energy transfer in food chains. There is a good animation showing the amount of energy transferred at each stage of a food chain.
Extensive information on the mangroves of Singapore ecosystem and the factors that affect it.
Extensive backgoround information on the dynamics of various types of ecosystem.
Single page on energy transfer in food chains, with a flow diagram showing the energy 'losses' at each level.
Single clear page on food chains and webs. There is a linked activity in which pupils can construct their own food web.
Podcasts, articles, interviews, answers to your questions on a wide variety of topics.
Research activity - could ask students to find 10 facts that interest them and give a presentation to the class
A great site with lots of info including ?microbes in the news? and a careers section. Also relevant for next lesson in the friend or foe section.
There are 11 pages in this electronic resource including: * Pathogens and disease * Barriers to infection * Acquired immunity * Immunisation * Medicines and the immune system * Vaccinations in the UK * Antibiotics * Immune system causes problems * HIV/AIDS Interactive features include the glossary, diagrams and some quiz questions
A nice clear summary, slightly interactive.
Find out about how our immune system works and how vaccinations can be used to prevent us getting diseases.
Through the years many different scientists have changed the way we understand and treat disease. Many of them were living and working at much the same time. This timeline shows some of the main characters involved in explaining infectious diseases and working out how to treat them.
An overview of modern medicines used to treat infectious diseases by killing the pathogens that cause them. Includes information on antibiotic resistance, how medicines are developed and different types of medicines.
Key facts and important ideas that will help students with last minute revision about microbiology.
Micro-organisms play an important role in the production of many of the foods we eat and drink. Find out more and download recipes that use micro-organisms.
A range of age-specific resources that can be ordered from the Society for General Microbiology. Most of the resources can be ordered free of charge.
You could this activity at the start of the KS3 topic 'Microbes and Disease' . Print out and laminate the three PowerPoints, and stick them on the walls around the classroom. Each student goes round the room finding the information to fill in their summary sheet.
Symptoms, treatment, prevention of a number of diseases including HIV, flu, chickenpox, malaria.
A Word file with a body picture to put together. Needs no colouring, no scissors and it uses so much less time than cut and stick. Some terms are beyond syllabus.
A fairly uninspiring menu page, but 3 excellent Flash activities. Students can work their own way through the intro and labelling exercise and then on to the summary test. Also access background info in word format from drop down list box.
Free trial of 3D plant and animal cells diagrams. Quite advanced.
A drag and drop activity in which you label the parts of a plant cell.
This site involves placing organs against a body outline. It also deals with organ systems. Could be used with an IWB coupled with the teacher's own commentary for introducing students to the workings of the human body and the levels of organisation.
Colourised EM images of insects, bacteria, moulds, bedbugs, head louse... Each links to a short paragraph about the organism and a larger image.
Illustrated PowerPoint presentation on grouping and identifying living things. Concentrates on vertebrates and invertebrates.Organisms are shown classified into only two kingdoms, (plants and animals). Not all fish lay eggs in water (some are viviparous).
PowerPoint presentation on the classification of vertebrate groups. The PowerPoint also contains some useful links.
A 'webquest' in which the class may be divided up into groups to research a specific group of organisms. Contains clear instructions.“Mammals and animal generalist” (under “The Process”) sets a bad example, since mammals are animals. Many of the links do not work. Occasional spelling errors, notably “chloryphyll”.
A single web page that describes the characteristics of vertebrates and invertebrates. Clearly presented diagrammatically.
Using random sampling to measure the abundance (the amount) of different species on an area of grassland.
This resource is designed to give students an opportunity to see how systematic sampling can be used to: •investigate changes in species richness across a footpath •the distribution of species across a footpath
A nice simple animated summary slide showing the reactants and products of photosynthesis
Interactive information page and questions on the structure of a leaf.
Details and results of the experiments to show light and carbon dioxide are required for photosynthesis.
The Elodea experiment instructions measuring the effect of light intensity on photosynthesis
A nice clear animation on transpiration but no explanations. Appropriate and entertaining, but needs complementary material / instruction.
A nice animation on transpiration for the more able - very attractive but will require a lot of explanation. Concepts of water potential and the different routes of water uptake are quite advanced.
A simple experiment to show water transport in plants.
An excellent, visual and reliable experimental procedure for demonstrating the production of gas from photosynthesis. Can be used to investigate the effect of limiting factors.
A simple way of growing garlic roots for the root tip squash practical (a modification of the method using polystyrene ceiling tiles).
A practical using algae to look at the rate of photosynthesis by ‘immobilising’ the algae as algal balls.
A simple practical for investigating the germination of seeds. Directions for carrying out a number of investigations, such as measuring the seedling roots.
A simple technique to help students design an investigation to try and find out more about this how plants respond to light.
This resource takes a lively approach to the advantages of growing plants hydroponically, and looks at the nutrients the plants will need.
A series of practicals designed to help pupils aged 12 - 16 years to explore the factors affecting: plant growth, reproduction, variation, classification, adaptation
Great 4.5 min clip from BBC’s Blooming History to share with the class when learning about photosynthesis- years 5-9 good for showing how scientific understanding (in this case photosynthesis) developed through several people discovering different things
great 4 minute clip showing van Helmont’s experiment with willow trees to discover why they got heavier. Complements the concept cartoon on why plants get bigger very well. Good for considering how experimentation and evidence is needed --- but conclusions are not always 100%! Good for science history too and discussing factors that can influence scientific progress He considered the question
How do animals and plants adapt to survive winter conditions? Printable cards with info for pupils to tabulate.
Gives some good information on how organisms are adapted to various environments and how man is making an impact on natural environment. Should have made clear why humans were not involved in dinosaur extinction!
Outstanding website dealing with deforestation and conservation. A wonderful resource with stunning photography. Material can be used with ages 10-14
Using random sampling to measure the abundance (the amount) of different species on an area of grassland.
This resource is designed to give students an opportunity to see how systematic sampling can be used to: •investigate changes in species richness across a footpath •the distribution of species across a footpath
Animated sequence on food chains and food webs. There is a gap-fill exercise to complete at the end.
Notes on how energy is transferred between organisms in a deciduous forest. Illustrated with an energy pyramid and links to a page showing the forest food web.
A web site detailing how compost is generated by decomposers. It contains links to some good pages on the role Earthworms play in recycling nutrients. The reference to “vitamins” in compost is woolly and not rigorous. Effects of compost on soil structure and moisture retention could be better emphasised.
Illustrated web pages that explains what decomposers are with hyperlinks to explainations of other terms used in ecology.
Some experiments based on the science of bread, looking at how yeast works and how sugar affects CO2 production.
Colourised EM images of insects, bacteria, moulds, bedbugs, head louse... Each links to a short paragraph about the organism and a larger image.
Images and information on different microbes - including which are 'good' and which are 'bad' to us.
A guide to observing different microbes, including: algae or protozoa on unstained wet mounts, and bacteria or fungi in a petri dish.