This document provides information about STEM clubs and activities in biology. It lists contact details for STEM club support in different regions of southeast England. It then lists the top 10 biology activities that can be used in STEM clubs, including extracting DNA from kitchen ingredients and investigating photosynthesis using algae wrapped in jelly. The activities cover a range of key stages and explore topics like biotechnology, plant adaptation, and human health.

1. For advice on STEM Clubs, including how to set one up, interesting activities to run, competitions and
funding opportunities, please contact South East of England STEM Club support on 01273 644178 or
Stemclubs@brighton.ac.uk
For all your other STEM-related needs, including involving a STEM Ambassador in your Club, or getting information,
advice and guidance on science, technology, engineering or maths, please contact your local STEMNET contract
holder – details at the bottom of this page.
STEMNET regional contract holders:
Hampshire and Isle of Wight: Winchester Science Centre, Stuart Parks: stuartparks@winchestersciencecentre.org
Kent and Medway: Canterbury Christchurch University, Tsige Sherington: tsige.sherington@canterbury.ac.uk
Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, West Berkshire: Science Oxford, Olivia O’Sullivan: olivia.osullivan@scienceoxford.com
Surrey and Berkshire: University of Reading, Julie Smith: julie.smith@reading.ac.uk
Sussex: STEM Sussex at the University of Brighton, Daniel Hawkins: STEMsussex@brighton.ac.uk
Top 10 Biology Activities for use in STEM Clubs
Algal balls – Photosynthesis using algae wrapped in jelly balls
http://www.saps.org.uk/secondary/teaching-resources/235-student-sheet-23-photosynthesis-using-algae-wrapped-in-jelly-balls
Suitable for: Key Stage 3-5
About: This fun and reliable practical makes investigating photosynthesis easy, and can be adapted.
Biotechnology: Bacterial Language
http://www.nationalstemcentre.org.uk/elibrary/science/resource/547/biotechnology-bacterial-language
Suitable for: Key Stage 3-4
About: These two practical activities explore cultivating glowing bacteria.
Biotechnology: Fizzy Pop
http://www.nationalstemcentre.org.uk/elibrary/science/resource/406/biotechnology-fizzy-pop
Suitable for: Key Stage 3
About: A number of recipes for making fermented soft drinks and how students explore the science.
Exploding Cells
http://www.pstt.org.uk/SiteDocuments/doc/STEMNET%20Biology/04%20Exploding%20cells.pdf
Suitable for: Key Stage 3-5
About: Observe what happens to blood added to salt solutions of different concentrations.
Extract your own DNA
http://www.planet-science.com/categories/experiments/biology/2012/03/extract-your-own-dna.aspx
Suitable for: Key Stage 3
Challenge: To extract your DNA using basic kitchen ingredients
Fake Poo
http://www.nationalstemcentre.org.uk/elibrary/resource/2548/fake-poo
Suitable for: Key Stage 3-4
Challenge: To investigate various diets using 'fake poo' to identify differences in these cultures.
How Healthy are Your Trees?
http://www.saps.org.uk/secondary/teaching-resources/1277-how-healthy-are-your-trees-
Suitable for: Key Stage 3-5
About: Catalogue the health of trees, and follow this with a statistical investigation.
Origami DNA
http://www.nationalstemcentre.org.uk/elibrary/resource/5083/origami-dna
Suitable for: Key Stage 3-5
Challenge: To create an origami model of DNA, demonstrating its double helix structure.
Photosynthesis and Leaf Adaptation: How Sun and Shade Plants Respond to Light
http://www.nationalstemcentre.org.uk/elibrary/science/resource/10245/photosynthesis-and-leaf-adaptation-how-sun-and-shade-plants-respond-to-light
Suitable for: Key Stage 3-5
About: Students measure the rate of photosynthesis in plants from different habitats.
Pollen, Lungs, Asthma and Allergies
http://www.nationalstemcentre.org.uk/elibrary/resource/7210/pollen-lungs-asthma-and-allergies
Suitable for: Key Stage 3-4
About: Look at how plants use pollen to reproduce, including growing pollen tubes.