Seeds
A tiny seed can hold all the genetic material necessary to grow the largest flowering plant in the world, the Mountain Ash, Eucalyptus regnans.
They come in weird and wacky shapes and sizes and have incredible techniques to disperse across the landscape. Some can float across oceans, explode out of seed pods, hitchhike on fur, and some even have little parachutes to help them float on the breeze.
Use these hands-on activities to discover what’s inside a seed, why they are so important and what it takes for a seed bank scientist to crack the germination code.
Learning Objectives
Learning Outcomes
The education resources within the Seeds module are designed to help students:
- Understand the role of seed banks in conserving plant species.
- Identify features that assist in different seed dispersal techniques.
- Explore the anatomy of a seed and discover how they are adapted to different environmental germination triggers.
Each lesson within the lesson plans and the field kits has individual learning intentions appropriate to the activity. Links to the Australian Curriculum are found within the individual resources.
Teacher Resources
Seeds|Years 4-6Seeds Field Kit
Experience what it's like to run your own seed collecting field trip! Learn about how seed scientists plan and undertake seed collection, devise a plan for your own field trip and decide what you will do with your seed collection once they are prepared for storage.
Tags:SeedBotanic GardenNative plant
Seeds|Years 4-6Seeds Lesson 1 - Seeds and seed banksHow do you identify a seed and a fruit? what is the difference? Learn about the anatomy of different seeds, explore the purpose of conservation seed banks and discover what Seed Scientists do.
Tags:SeedBotanic GardenPlant structure
Seeds|Years 4-6Seeds Lesson 2 - Seed adaptations and dispersal methodsHow are seeds dispersed into new areas? Learn about the features of seeds that aid dispersal and then create your own wind dispersed seed to test.
Tags:SeedPlant structureNative plant
Seeds|Years 4-6Seeds Lesson 3 - Seeds and their needsSeed germination, what is it and what can affect it? Test seed viability and conduct your own viability and quality tests on seeds. Explore germination strategies and what might affect germination of different seeds.
Tags:SeedNative plantBotanic Garden
Seeds|Years 4-6Seeds Teachers' NotesExplore background information on seeds, seed structures, anatomy of a seed and more. Everything you need to know to teach your students the Seeds module.
Tags:SeedBotanic GardenPlant structure
Seeds|Years 4-6Seeds Video 1
Explore the inside and outside of different seeds. Discover the amazing world of seed dispersal and discover why seeds come in all kinds of weird and wacky shapes.
Tags:SeedPlant structureNative plant
