Growing Green - photosynthesis, KS3

Key concepts

Photosynthesis, gas exchange, adaptation, inter-dependence, climate change.

Learning outcomes

• Explain the role of leaves, chloroplasts and chlorophyll in the process of photosynthesis.
• Name the reactants and products of photosynthesis.
• Suggest different ways leaves are adapted for photosynthesis.
• Understand that human activity can alter the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere, impacting on climate.
• Recognise the role photosynthesis can play in reducing climate change.

Activities

Diversity of green - explore and discover the diversity of leaves, algae and lichen.  Generate questions which will form part of the focus for the rest of the programme.

Photosynthesis game - an interactive game that looks at the process of photosynthesis and involves a reactant and product molecule challenge.

Adaptation - observing differences in leaves and suggesting how this adaptation is linked to photosynthesis, including leaf shape, shade of green, surface texture, leaf arrangement and canopy shape.

Moving carbon - an active approach to explore the role trees and photosynthesis can play in reducing climate change for the future