In these resources, maths is used as a tool to explore some aspect of the life sciences. Some might be best used in the maths lesson, with reference made to the science. Others could be taught as cross-curricular topics.
Stage 3 is roughly 11-14 years and Stage 4 roughly 14-16 years. The stars indicate how easily most learners can get into the problem, although most problems contain enough depth to challenge and stimulate all. Back to main STEM pages.
Do you know which birds are regular visitors where you live?
This problem offers you two ways to test reactions - use them to investigate your ideas about speeds of reaction.
Build a mini eco-system, and collect and interpret data on how well the plants grow under different conditions.
Is this eco-system sustainable?
When a habitat changes, what happens to the food chain?
Examine these estimates. Do they sound about right?
Work with numbers big and small to estimate and calculate various quantities in biological contexts.
Maths is everywhere in the world! Take a look at these images. What mathematics can you see?
Simple models which help us to investigate how epidemics grow and die out.
Create a symmetrical fabric design based on a flower motif - and realise it in Logo.
How does shape relate to function in the natural world?
What is the chance I will have a son who looks like me?
Analyse these beautiful biological images and attempt to rank them in size order.
Practise your skills of proportional reasoning with this interactive haemocytometer.
A problem about genetics and the transmission of disease.
Work with numbers big and small to estimate and calulate various quantities in biological contexts.
Which dilutions can you make using only 10ml pipettes?
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to race against Usain Bolt?
Could nanotechnology be used to see if an artery is blocked? Or is this just science fiction?
Are these estimates of physical quantities accurate?
Practice your skills of measurement and estimation using this interactive measurement tool based around fascinating images from biology.
How would you go about estimating populations of dolphins?
When you change the units, do the numbers get bigger or smaller?
Can you work out the parentage of the ancient hero Gilgamesh?
What biological growth processes can you fit to these graphs?
Use your skill and knowledge to place various scientific lengths in order of size. Can you judge the length of objects with sizes ranging from 1 Angstrom to 1 million km with no wrong attempts?
This problem explores the biology behind Rudolph's glowing red nose.
How many generations would link an evolutionist to a very distant ancestor?
Which units would you choose best to fit these situations?
To investigate the relationship between the distance the ruler drops and the time taken, we need to do some mathematical modelling...
bioNRICH is the area of the stemNRICH site devoted to the mathematics underlying the study of the biological sciences, designed to help develop the mathematics required to get the most from your study of biology at A-level and university.
In which Olympic event does a human travel fastest? Decide which events to include in your Alternative Record Book.
Estimate these curious quantities sufficiently accurately that you can rank them in order of size