Resources

The Leaf-Zoom kit – for Primary 4/5 (Year 3/4 in England & Wales, Year 4/5 in N.Ireland) is a 4 week curriculum-mapped lesson plan, for learning about how plants breathe, absorb nutrients, grow, and interact with their environment. Each kit supports group work for 25–30 pupils and includes interactive resources and pupil worksheets for the teacher to evaluate learning. 

The AMAiZING Maize kit—for P6/7 up to S1 (Year 5/6 up to Year 7 in England & Wales, Year 6/7 up to Year 8 in N.Ireland), includes a 5 week curriculum-mapped  lesson plan. It provides experiment-based learning about plant responses to climate change and learning of concepts of molecular biology. The kit includes pupil worksheets and access to the Sci-Seedlets Thaliana – Quest for Gene X, a first of its kind serious game for experience-based science education. Each kit caters to 12-15 pupils, working in groups. A step-by-step video guide for the interactive lesson is included along with a guide booklet.

Teachers who have used the kits say they’re easy to integrate for curriculum teaching in classrooms. 

“I have been very impressed with the level of detail and consideration that has gone into designing the kits. The kits alongside the lessons make what can be a challenging concept to illustrate and teach very accessible for both pupils and myself (the teacher). The kits have been carefully colour-coded and labelled allowing for pupils to conduct the tests/experiments with independence. In addition, I liked the measuring scale as it encouraged the students to apply Numeracy and Mathematics skills” P6 Teacher, East Renfrewshire Council 

We are now working towards making Sci-Seedlets resources available to schools across the UK and collecting feedback which will help us to drive the project forward, to develop new resources aligned with our research with plant – climate interactions and to continue breaking down barriers to STEM learning in schools. If you would like to use our resources please complete this Expression of Interest form: https://forms.office.com/e/2aE2kHCvYp

Our first of its kind serious game offering. It allows children to explore the world of plant science research within the magic circle of the game.

The player goes on a hands-on journey of setting up and performing experiments like leaf-lineup, PCR and electrophoresis as a part of the quest.

The player learns about complex concepts associated with plant science through play. The entire game experience is designed based on inputs from actual plant scientists.

Plants have tiny ‘mouths’ called STOMATA on leaf surface that let in carbon dioxide for photosynthesis in exchange of oxygen and water. Stomatal pores can open or close in response to the environment and this behaviour influences the carbon and water cycles on the Earth. Microbial pathogens or ‘germs’ invisible to our eyes can also pass through the stomatal pore. Just like if we humans put hands covered in germs into our mouth, we become sick; similarly, pathogen entering the stomata can cause infection and make plants sick! Stomata close in defence against pathogen entry to prevent disease. Thus, stomata are the guardians of plants!