Plant Reproduction
Learning 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 Scene
Activity
Why Pollen?
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Reinforces concepts of plant reproduction
Easily stained and visualized using microscopes
Unique and diverse morphology
Real-world application that appeals to students
Incorporates investigation and experimentation
techniques
Pre-Lab Presentation
o Structure of a flower and reproductive organs
o Structure of pollen grain
o How do scientists use pollen to answer questions about
organisms and their environment
o Using pollen in crime and accident scenes
o 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:
Pre-made slide:
Victim
Suspect 1
Flowers found at each
suspect’s home
Suspect 2
Suspect 3
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?