Millions of seeds are produced from a variety of plants. The seeds are
the beginning of life for future species of the same plant. The challenge
to plant survival is moving the seed to a suitable germination site. Many
plants disperse the seeds through wind, water, or unique vectors (animals
that carry the seeds and pollen). Some plants are unique in their means
of regenerating.
Through the Internet and video activities presented in this lesson, students
will become familiar with the parts of the plant and methods of seed dispersal.
In addition, students will serve as a vector to pick up seeds and analyze
the variety of items accumulated in the process.
Students will be able to:
- Demonstrate seed dispersal vectors through role-play
- Analyze seed types
- Identify plant parts
- List seven conditions plants need in order to grow
- Describe how seeds travel
New
York State Learning Standards for Science
http://www.nap.edu/readingroom/books/nses/html/6d.html
Standard A
Develop abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry; understandings about
scientific inquiry.
Standard C
All students should develop understanding of structure and function in
living systems; reproduction and heredity; regulation and behavior; populations
and ecosystems, and; diversity and adaptations of organisms.
New
York City Middle School English-Language Arts Standards
http://www.nycenet.edu/dis/standards/ELA/es/23overview.html
Standard E1c: Reading
Read and comprehend informational materials
Video:
Nature #1609: The Seedy Side of Plants
Web sites:
The
Great Plant Escape
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/gpe/case1/c1facts2a.html
This is a tutorial site instructing students on the parts of the plant.
It is followed by a quiz to test the students' comprehension of the
information presented in the tutorial. The site also offers many other
tutorials instructing students on various facts about plants.
Thompson-Morgan
Seed Company
http://www.thompson-morgan.com/seeds/us/index.html
This site offers a variety of seed types for use in the classroom. There
are pictures available to demonstrate to students what a given seed
would look like after complete growth.
Garden
Launch Pad
http://gardeninglaunchpad.com/kids.html
Students may need ideas for the Culminating Activity where they create
their own themed planters. This site provides links to many science-based
and gardening Web sites that can help students develop their ideas.
It is not only helpful for the Culminating Activity of this lesson,
but also quite useful in helping students with other science fair ideas.
Per student:
- 1 old sock (if socks are not available, use a piece of cloth with
a rubber band)
- 2 Ziploc baggies
- Paper towels
- Water
- Handout #1
- Handout #2
- Handout #3
- Handout #4
- Pencil
- Hand lens
Per group of 4:
- Pot or pan
- Soil (enough to fill the pot)
- Seeds, a variety of types (Some suggestions of seeds to use: bean,
radish, pumpkin, or pea seeds. Order active seeds to ensure a successful
experiment.)
- Water
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