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: