Seeds in the Field: Directions

You will need to go outside in your yard, a vacant weeded lot, or into a park-type area (or all three). On your search, find eight (8) different kinds of seeds. The kinds of seeds you'll need to find are listed below. (16 points)

• 2 types of seeds that are found in a fleshy fruit (like an apple).

• 2 types of seeds that we might consider "stickers" or "hitch-hiker" type seeds. Often these are "weeds."

• 2 types of seed found in a pod (could be in a flower garden, a tree that produces pods, beans, etc.).

• 2 types of seeds surrounded by a hard outer shell (like a nut or an acorn).

Note: Be creative in your choices of seeds!

Information to include about each seed.

1. The type of plant it was found on. (16 points)
   • Try to determine the name of the plant (oak tree, marigold, lily, pea plant, etc.). If you can't determine the exact name of the plant, describe the type of plant, as in—a tree, a short shrub, a flowering weed, or a flowering plant in garden.
2. Describe the means by which that seed would be dispersed. (16 points)
   • Tell how the seeds of this plant would be transported to a place away from the parent plant.

You can bring your seeds back to S.Mi.L.E. in a few ways for your instructor to grade:

3. Photos—use a camera to take pictures of your seeds.

   or

4. Video—videotape and narrate your findings about your seeds.

Important: If you have trouble with either of these options contact your instructor for additional options.

When you have completed your project, return to the main lesson to finish up.

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