Biology demonstrations and practical work
This list has a number of ideas for exciting demonstrations in Biology.
Visit the practical work page to access all resources and lists focussing on practical work in secondary science: www.nationalstemcentre.org.uk/sciencepracticals
Demonstrating Biology: Eight Demonstrations
In this Teachers TV video, Dr Mark Loughlin, a molecular biologist, looks at some demonstrations which relate to the human body and can provide the wow factor for pupils without the need for expensive equipment. Demonstrations include the digestive system, enerry in food, the circulatory system, reaction time and eye dominance.
Demonstrating Biology: Aviflu
This Teachers TV video shows an engaging way of demonstrating how quickly a virus can spread. The demonstration uses a harmless, invisible, fluorescent dye. A dusting of the dye is sprayed on the resources the pupils use which transfers to their hands. Role play is used to add excitement.
Demonstrating Biology: It Takes Guts
In this Teachers TV video, Dr Nigel Collins at Kings Charles 1 School wows his Year 9 class when he uses a pig's entrails to demonstrate the digestive system. This demonstration requires a lot of preparation and good hygiene procedures, and an awareness of the sensitivities and religious issues around exposing animal organs.
Let's Dissect - the Heart
This tutorial, from Bristol University’s Let’s Dissect, includes a video of a heart dissection with accompanying narration describing the anatomy. Following this, there are slides which highlight the position, structure and function of the main parts of the heart, including chambers, vessels, valves and heart wall. A diagram of the circulatory system allows students to watch a blood cell as it travels around the double circuit.
Let’s Dissect – the Kidney
This tutorial, from Bristol University’s Let’s Dissect, highlights the structure and function of the kidney and includes a video of a kidney dissection with accompanying narration describing the anatomy.
Curriculum links include the excretory system and homeostasis. The process of kidney dialysis is also explained in a clear animation, together with the key advantages and disadvantages of dialysis and kidney transplant
Let’s Dissect – the Digestive Tract *suitable for home teaching*
This tutorial, from Bristol University’s Let’s Dissect, highlights the structure and function of the digestive tract, including the salivary glands, oesophagus, stomach, duodenum, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, small intestine, villi, large intestine and rectum
Science and Plants for Schools
A wide range of activities to investigate plant biology, for primary and secondary students.
Mind lab
This website has several optical illusions to demonstrate the unconscious functions of the brain. Students could access the site individually, or it could be used with a projector.
NCBE website
This website has a wide range of equipement, lesson plans, student sheets and teachers notes for post 16 biology practical work.