iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Early Career Teachers📌 Join us on Thu 1 Oct for a FREE twilight session with the #RSC By the end of our session, you will: 🌱know where to go for support for teaching biology using plants 🌱have explored resources for teaching key principles of biology edu.rsc.org/events/teach... #PlantScience

edu.rsc.org

Teaching biology with plants from SAPS

Thursday 1 October, 7-8pm BST, online

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Wishing all students receiving their A-level #results today the best of luck! Today starts the next chapter in the journey... 🌈 Congratulations to all of the hardworking #teachers, #technicians and support staff for their commitment and dedication in supporting their students. 👏 #ResultsDay

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

🚨Newsletter🚨 In our latest edition: 💻Get ahead with planning with specially selected resources 💚Complete the Annual Survey & enter the prize draw ❓Inform @rsb.org.uk of your biology CPD experiences 🗞️Read #plantsci news stories to enthuse & inspire 👀 zc.vg/U4BhL?m=0

Image: The arrangement of veins and water-venting pores on a Chinese money plant leaf.

Credit: Navlakha lab/CSHL.

Image: The sun shining on the leaves of the Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum).

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Last week we had the privilege of welcoming #Curriculum #Leaders to our Contemporary Biology course at the Gatsby Plant Science Summer School. 🌱 One of our favourite feedback remarks - "I feel more confident around the direction I want to lead change" 💚 #plantsci #inspired

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

#WorldBeeDay 🐝 With this resource, students can explore how plants use colour to attract these busy & brilliant pollinators. 🌷 👀https://www.saps.org.uk/teaching-resources/resources/846/investigating-how-plants-use-colour-to-attract-pollinators-introducing-stem-careers/ #plantsci #pollen #biology

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Our latest edition of the #newsletter is available for your perusal featuring: 🏫a residential course for #Curriculum Leaders 🔬a paper-based microscopy resource & online CPD 🌵 #plantsci stories to fascinate 🌍a citizen science project & much more. 👀Read it here: zc.vg/YZYfe?m=0

Image: Spring flowers bloom in Death Valley National Park, California.

Credit: Marli Miller/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images.

Image: A field glowing with wheat. Credit: Unsplash.

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

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

🚨Introducing🚨 Contemporary Biology for Curriculum Leaders: A course for those designing and influencing secondary biology curricula and resources. 🧑‍🏫3-day residential ✅fully funded ⌛applications close 31/05 For more info and to apply: www.saps.org.uk/growth-hub/c... #biology #curriculum #cpd

Teachers exploring biology resources at a previous Summer School.

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

Looking to improve your teaching of #microscopy? We've teamed with @associationscied.bsky.social to bring you 3 online workshops. Sessions in the series: 🔬building confidence in microscopy-04/06 💙staining & thin specimens-09/06 📏calibrating & measuring-09/07 Info: www.ase.org.uk/events/micro...

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

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

The UK needs to consider new crops for growing in an unpredictable climate. New Crops for the @unisouthampton.bsky.social want to recruit schools & clubs to sign up for an experiment. Funding available from @royalsocbio.bsky.social 🌱 ✏️Sign-up here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... #plantsci

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

💚We Appreciate Plants💚 Plant science research is vital to solving some of the biggest problems facing us & our planet. With our 'Want to change the world?' poster & resources, you can inspire your students to find solutions & make a difference with a career in #plantscience. #PlantAppreciationDay

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

It's #PlantAppreciationDay WE APPRECIATE PLANTS 💚 You can share the wonder of plants with your students with our posters featuring 'WOW' contexts. 🫨Awesome www.saps.org.uk/teaching-res... 🤩Amazing www.saps.org.uk/teaching-res... 🥰Incredible www.saps.org.uk/teaching-res... #plantsci #plantscience

Awesome plants poster for students aged 11-14.

Amazing plants poster for students aged 14-16.

Incredible plants poster for students aged post-16.

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

🚨Teachers🚨 We want to know... 💬 1. Where do you go to find teaching resources❓ 2. Which CPD providers do you and your colleagues use❓ This could be specifically for biology or across science. Please comment below 💚 #questiontime #teachers #scienceteacher #biology

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

On the 13th we welcomed #Tutors & #Technicians working in #ITE to our #TraintheTrainer course. Representatives from universities & SCITTs across the UK explored our resources & discussed how best to support trainee teachers.🌿 Trainee teachers of biology are in good hands! 👏

Train the Trainer delegates exploring SAPS resources.

Exploring plant material under the lens of a microscope.

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

🚨FREE🚨 @stemlearning.bsky.social with The Brightside Trust are offering free online mentoring to help 13-19-year-olds explore their future career options. Applications close 11/03. 🧪🥼🔬🦠🌱🧑‍💻 For more info: www.stem.org.uk/secondary/ca...

Screenshot details the support students will receive.

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

#NationalCareersWeek is fast approaching (2-7/03). Check out our resources designed to inspire your students with a career in #plantsci 🍏https://www.saps.org.uk/teaching-resources/resources/862/raising-awareness-of-stem-careers-with-post-16-students/ #NCW2O26 #careers

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

Here it is, the latest edition of our #newsletter giving you: 📥 🧑‍🏫Free researched-informed short courses 🗃️Resources for #BSL & #BritishScienceWeek 🌿#plantsci news stories 💌and much more 👀Read here zc.vg/2iZEP?m=0

Promo of the 'Teaching Photosynthesis with Confidence and Enthusiasm!' course.

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

Check this challenge hosted by LEAF Farming offering young people (15-17) the opportunity to explore a pivotal sector addressing global climate change, explore potential green career paths & meet other like-minded change makers. Closes 28/01 leaf.eco/education/co... 🍃 #SustainableYouthChallenge

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

We're back from the @associationscied.bsky.social #ASEConf26 feeling fresh and inspired😀 It was great to meet faces new and discuss topics of the moment with familiar faces too💚 If you have any queries about our resources or SAPS more generally, email us saps@botanic.cam.ac.uk 🌿 #plantsci

Our stand at the exhibition allowed delegates to explore some of our latest resources focusing on developing key microscopy skills.

An image of the layout of our drop-in at the ASE Annual Conference.

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

🗣️NEWS🗣️ The latest edition of our #newsletter is available now featuring: ⌨️Free online CPD 🎄Christmas Quiz 📚News stories to intrigue & much more! 👀View online: zc.vg/lcNp6?m=0 #plantscience

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

We'll be there. Will you? Join us at #ASE2Conf2026 where you can explore our practicals, activities, expert advice & much more. We would love to see you!💚 👀https://www.saps.org.uk/growth-hub/ase/ 🎟️https://www.ase.org.uk/events/ase-annual-conference-2026 #plantscience @associationscied.bsky.social

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

🚨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

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

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

A great way for your students to show their creative flair. Let's get plants featured! 🧑‍🎨🗜️🎨♻️🌿 #plantsci #plantscience #BiologyWeek #BioCraft #BioCraftComp #ArtCompetition

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

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...

saps.org.uk

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.

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

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

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

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 of Science Club activities offered by SAPS.

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

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

A screenshot featuring the range of SAPS posters.

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

@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...

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

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

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

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

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

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

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.

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

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

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 11/09/2025

@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

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

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

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 🌿

saps.org.uk

Noticing Variation in Plants - Science & Plants for Schools

This homework activity requires students to identify continuous or discontinuous variation and interspecific or intraspecific variation in a novel context.

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

Sending our congratulations and best wishes to all the students collecting their #GCSE results today 🍀 Now for more #plantscience ... 💚 #gcseresultsday2025 #examresults2025

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

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

media.tenor.com

a small plant is growing in a pot of soil

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

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 21/07/2025

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

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

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 21/07/2025

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.

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.

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

🗞️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

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.

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

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

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

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. 💚🌱🎒🧑‍🏫👩‍🏫

Teachers immersed in developing ideas for new resources.

Teachers preparing for the vascular stem microscopy practical.

The teachers using microscopy to identify cells.

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

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

Professor Anne Osbourn in conversation with the Summer School teachers.

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

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

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

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

The classroom is ready for our group of post-16 biology teachers to explore SAPS practicals at the #PlantScience #SummerSchool 🎒 Any ideas what practicals we might cover? 🌱🔬🌾

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

The van is packed and we are ready to go... 🚚 We are looking forward to welcoming 8 post-16 biology teachers to the Gatsby Plant Science Summer School 2025 on Sunday. 🌿 It will be a week of #plantscience immersion with practical workshops and lectures from contemporary plant science researchers. 💚

Van packed with kit for the Summer School.

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

Take things further with your teaching of microscopy? Online Wed 25/06. You will: 🔬develop knowledge of calibration & measure 🌱identify specimens 👀https://www.ase.org.uk/events/taking-things-further-calibrating-and-measuring-how-develop-these-skills-ks4-and-5-students @royalsocbio.bsky.social

Plant material looked at underneath the lens of a microscope.

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

Do you want to improve your #teaching of #microscopy? Join us on Wed 11/06 for an online session where you will: 🔬explore 2 of the most fundamental components of slide prep 🔎identify specimens to demo ✅For more & to book: ase.org.uk/events/stain... #plantsci #biology @associationscied.bsky.social

Cluster of sclereids (stone cells) in pear tissue, stained with toluidine blue to show lignin (x400 magnification).

Cluster of cells from an unripe banana, stained with iodine to show starch grains (x100 magnification).

Chromoplasts in cells of the skin of a red bell pepper (Mag = x400. Field of view ≈450µm).

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

The @royalsocbio.bsky.social are soon to be receiving applications for funding to run a #citizenscience project. Member teachers can apply for a grant to engage your school’s or college’s students. 💸🍎👩‍🏫👩‍🔬 For more visit: www.rsb.org.uk/get-involved... Applications open on 5/06 closing 6/07.

rsb.org.uk

Outreach and Engagement Grants

Grants for members to organise events in their area

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Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) @saps-news.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

Don't miss out - places are still available to join the session online this Wednesday. 🔬🌿 You can choose to attend one or all three sessions of the series. For more info & to book: www.ase.org.uk/events/build... We hope to see you there! 🔎 #plantscience #plantsci #TeacherCPD #microscopy

ase.org.uk

Building Confidence in Microscopy

Science and Plants for Schools will help develop your confidence in using microscopes as an effective teaching tool.

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