The Science of Spring Color me Did You Know? Seeds come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and textures. Seeds contain all the material a plant needs for making more of itself. Seeds are in lots of things that you eat. Peaches “Monocot” seeds start life with one seed leaf, like grass. “Dicot” seeds start life with two seed leaves, like beans. Cherries Seeds have a protective coat that can be thin, or thick and hard. The baby plant inside the seed is called the embryo. Seeds can be spread by wind, water, and animals. Most seeds remain dormant (asleep) until they are given water. Apple Insects or other animals that transfer pollen from plant to plant are called “pollinators.” Pollen is the fine, powder-like material plants needed to make seeds. Bonus fact! Lots of foods we eat are seeds, or have seeds we can eat. Can you name some of those foods? (Some answers are below.) Lemons Suggested Reading from SB&F, the review journal of AAAS: www.sbfonline.com Avocado Strawberries www.aaas.org/seeds A. Tomatoes, sunflower seeds, strawberries, pomegranates, sesame seeds, zucchini, cucumbers, sugar snap peas, green beans, blackberries, raspberries, and more! In order for seeds to be produced, plants must first be pollinated by insects and other animals in their surroundings. Help the bee fly through the maze to reach the strawberry flower and pollinate it. A Seed Is Sleepy, by Dianna Hutts Aston How a Seed Grows, by Helene Jordon Flip, Float, Fly: Seeds on the Move, by JoAnn Early Macken A Fruit is a Suitcase for Seeds, by Jean Richards From Seed to Maple Tree: Following the Life Cycle, by Laura Purdie Salas Plant Your Seeds and Watch Them Grow! Date you planted your seed: _______________ Write and draw your observations of the growing plant: Have you ever wondered how a seed becomes a plant? Now is your chance to find out. You get to grow a plant from a seed! Day 7 Remember that all plants need these seven things to grow: room to grow, the right temperature, light, water, air, nutrients, and time. Describe what you see: Draw what you see: What you need: 1 - 6 green bean seeds from the 2010 White House Egg Roll 1 - 6 paper cups One small plastic lid per paper cup Moist soil Pencil What to do: 1. P lace your cup on a table covered with newspaper to protect the table. (You could also work outside.) 2. Poke a hole in the bottom of the cup using a pencil. 3. Fill the carton almost full with soil. 4. Make a hole in the soil, about 1 inch, 2 cm, deep, with your finger. 5. Place one seed in the hole and cover with soil. 6. Water the seeds and place in a sunny spot. 7. Water the soil when it looks dry. If you stick your finger 1 inch, 2 cm, into the soil and it is dry, then water your plant. When you water the plant, moisten the soil by using enough water so that it starts to come out of the hole in the bottom of the container. 8. Remember that it takes time to grow and care for plants. Some plants require more time to grow than others. 9. Around day 15, you should replant your seedling in a larger container or pot. Day 15 Describe what you see: Day 28 Describe what you see: You can share your seed and plant observations online. You can also see how other kids’ plants are growing! You can use the green bean seeds or any other plant seeds to participate. Go to www.aaas.org/seeds to share! Draw what you see: Draw what you see: