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Lesson plans: Explorify activities

Explorify, in collaboration with the Eden Project, have created a set of free primary science teaching resources that are inspired by some of the plants and exhibits that we have at our site in Cornwall.

Sign-up for a free Explorify account to access the Eden-themed activities listed below, as well as a huge catalogue of other free science resources.

Discover Explorify

What is Explorify?

Explorify is a free digital tool, used by tens of thousands of primary school teachers across the country, offering a range of fantastic activities that have been designed to engage pupils, and their teachers, in thinking about science in the world around them. All activities match to the UK curricula and most require very little or no preparation. These activities can be used as part of your daily routine or as a lesson starter/plenary.

Eden's Explorify activities

Plant Takeaway theatrical puppet performance artwork

Plant Takeaway

Where would we be without plants? Use this video, showing how many everyday things are made from plants, to spark a conversation with you class about our dependence on nature. This activity is great for describing observations and applying ideas in unfamiliar contexts. It is suitable for years 1-2 and 5-6, and covers the science topics: 'Animals including humans', 'Plants' and 'Materials'.

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Water droplet on a spiky leaf with reflecting Eden's Biome structure

Liquid of Life

Although it may seem unremarkable, water truly is the ‘liquid of life’. As human beings, we use it in many aspects of our everyday lives and without it, there would simply be no life on Earth. Use this video to spark a conversation with your class about the importance of this wonderful liquid and where we might see it in its different states. This activity is great for describing observations and applying ideas in unfamiliar contexts. It is suitable for years 3-4, and covers the science topics: 'States of matter' and 'Topical science'.

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Close up of a pitcher plant

Pitcher

Use this ‘Zoom In, Zoom Out’ activity to take a much closer look at this familiar object. Can your class use their reasoning skills to work out what it is? As you gradually zoom out, the identify of this amazing object will become clearer. Use this activity to spark a conversation with you class about living things and how they are adapted to their natural environment. It is suitable for years 5-6, and covers the science topics: 'Plants', 'Living things and their habitats' and 'Evolution and inheritance'.

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Bamboo close-up

Useful parts of plants: bamboo, cinnamon, rubber tree

The function of a stem is to provide support and strength and to allow water to be transported through the plant. However, people also have many uses for these stems. Put your observational skills to the test! Can they identify these trees? Do you know how we use them? Can you spot any similarities or differences? Can you spot the odd one out? This activity is great for promoting careful observation and generating scientific discussion. It is suitable for KS2 children and covers the science topics: Plants , Materials , Living things and their habitats.

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Coffee cherries

Useful parts of plants: coffee, cacao, lentils

Fruits develop from flowers and contain seeds. One of the main functions of a fruit is to help a plant to spread its seeds and allow it to reproduce. However, people also have many uses for these fruits. Put your observational skills to the test! Can you identify these fruits and name the trees that they come from? Can you spot any similarities or differences? Can you spot the odd one out? This activity is great for promoting careful observation and generating scientific discussion. It is suitable for KS2 children and covers the science topics: Materials , Living things and their habitats.

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Rattan

Useful parts of plants: rattan, sugar cane, vanilla

Here are three more useful stems. Can they identify these trees? Do you know how we use them? Can you spot any similarities or differences? Can you spot the odd one out? This activity is great for promoting careful observation and generating scientific discussion. It is suitable for KS2 children and covers the science topics: Plants , Materials, Living things and their habitats.

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