In this experiment, students learn how seeds travel to grow into plants and trees. You need a variety of seeds to compare. Let students observe the seeds and develop some hypotheses on how the various seeds might travel. To see which ones will travel by air, set up a fan in the classroom. For each seed, hold the seed 10 cm above and in front of a fan blowing at low or medium speed. Let go of the seed and measure how far each one travels. Next, see which seeds travel by clinging to fur by trying to stick the seeds, one at a time, to a piece of fake fur. Record the findings. Next, place seeds one at a time into a tub of water and stir. Did the seeds float or sink? Record the findings. Finally, compare each seed and determine how each travels.
Have a seed activity table set up for students. In one area, provide a variety of seeds for students to sort into containers by size, shape or color. In another area, provide seeds, and circles written on paper and labeled with numbers. Have students count out that many seeds to place in the circle. Another area should provide students with the opportunity to weigh seeds on a balance scale. Students could also use a magnifying glass and tweezers to look at seeds closely inside and out.
As a class, plant four different lima bean seeds under different conditions to discover what plants need to grow. In cup one, plant a bean seed that has soil, water and sunshine. In cup two, plant a seed that you provide with soil and sunlight but no water. Cup three will have a seed with water and sunlight but not soil. Cup four will have soil and water, but keep it out of the sun. Water all but cup two every day, and observe daily how the plants grow differently. Have students figure out what a seed needs to grow.
For this activity, tell students they will use their observation skills like scientists and discover how seeds are alike and different. Gather a variety of fruits and vegetables and cut them apart to reveal the seeds. Discuss how the seeds differ and are similar in terms of color, size, smoothness and thickness. Then have a collection of various seeds for students to apply to white paper using white glue, in a pattern that they draw first in pencil.