Plant ReproductionLearning Modules for 7th– 12th Grade

Life Sciences

Today’s Workshop

• Pollen Crime Lab + Seed Dispersal Labs created to teach students about plant reproduction and life cycle

• Incorporate two major stages of plant reproduction (fertilization & seed production)

• Fun, hands-on activities that incorporate real-life scenarios (forensics & competition)

Pollen Crime SceneActivity

Why Pollen?

o Reinforces concepts of plant reproductiono Easily stained and visualized using microscopeso Unique and diverse morphologyo Real-world application that appeals to studentso Incorporates investigation and experimentation

techniques

Pre-Lab Presentationo Structure of a flower and reproductive organso Structure of pollen graino How do scientists use pollen to answer questions about

organisms and their environmento Using pollen in crime and accident sceneso Video: time lapse pollen grain

germination

Pollen Crime Scene Activity

• Examine the pollen structure from four plant sources and determine the guilty suspect of an assault.

Each lab group:

Victim

Pre-made slide:

Suspect 1 Suspect 2 Suspect 3

Flowers found at each suspect’s home

Worksheet

Learning Objectives

• Use experimental and investigatory techniques (create hypotheses, collect data, draw conclusions)

• Improve microscopy skills• Identify and distinguish unique biological species• Recognize real-life applications of plant biology

California Learning Standards

7th Grade Life Sciences:• Structure and Function in Living Systems (5 a, f)• Investigation and Experimentation (7 a, c, d)

High School Biology:• Genetics (2b)• Ecology (6a)• Evolution (7d)

Assessment

• Worksheets, lab write-ups• Exam questions, quizzes• Building upon learned knowledge on

subsequent activities

Seed Dispersal Activities

Objectives:• Educate students about an important stage of plant reproduction• Teach students how to recognize the different mechanisms plants use to disperse their seeds• Incorporate material pertaining to plant competition and inbreeding depression

Name That Diaspore!!(Seed Dispersal Lab I)

Students will be presented with a diverse array of plant diaspores and will be asked to determine the mechanism by which they are likely to disperse.

*Diaspore = seed + any additional tissues that assist in dispersal

Worksheet

Build Your Own Diaspore!(Seed Dispersal Lab II)

• Students will be given craft materials (construction paper, glue, paper clips, etc.) to construct their own plant diaspores that will ride the wind.

• Each group of students will compete their seeds to

determine which model is m the most efficient wind-disperser.

Worksheet

High School Modifications

Pollen Activity:• Include more details about plant reproduction:

double fertilization, autogamy vs. allogamy, mating systems, meiosis & mitosis, gametophytes & sporophytes

Seed Dispersal Activities:• Inbreeding depression, plant competition and other

ecological mechanisms, more details in plant physiology

Questions?