Author: Windows User

Name:____________________

Hitchhiking Seeds

1) Dandelion Seeds

Picture of Dandelion Plant

Picture of Dandelion Seed

This seed’s size is (circle one): large medium small
This seed’s weight is (circle one): heavy light
This seed’s strength is (circle one): easy to damage hard to damage
Other observations:_____________________________________________
Predict the method the seeds travel by ______________________________

2) Tomato Seeds

Picture of Tomato Plant

Picture of Tomato Seed

This seed’s size is (circle one): large medium small
This seed’s weight is (circle one): heavy light
This seed’s strength is (circle one): easy to damage hard to damage
Other observations:______________________________________
Predict the method the seeds travel by _______________________

3) Burr Clover Seeds

Picture of Burr Clover Plant

Picture of Burr Clover Seed

This seed’s size is (circle one): large medium small
This seed’s weight is (circle one): heavy light
This seed’s strength is (circle one): easy to damage hard to damage
Other observations:_____________________________________________
Predict the method the seeds travel by ______________________________

4) Palm Seeds

Picture of Palm Plant

Picture of Palm Seed

This seed’s size is (circle one): large medium small
This seed’s weight is (circle one): heavy light
This seed’s strength is (circle one): easy to damage hard to damage
Other observations:_____________________________________________
Predict the method the seeds travel by ______________________________

Read Hitchhiking Seeds as a class before moving on.

5) Can plants disperse their seeds on their own (circle one)? Yes No
6) If no, what do they need: _______________________________
________________________________
________________________________

7) ___________________________________________________ caused the dandelion seeds to be dispersed to other areas.
My prediction was (circle one): correct incorrect

8) __________________________________________________ caused the tomato seeds to be dispersed to other areas.
My prediction was (circle one): correct incorrect

9) _______________________________________________ caused the burr clover seeds to be dispersed to other areas.
My prediction was (circle one): correct incorrect

10) _______________________________________________ caused the coconut to be dispersed to other areas.
My prediction was (circle one): correct incorrect

11) Changes in the amount of wind would affect which type of plant (circle affected plants)?
Dandelion Tomato
Burr Clover Palm
The effect of less wind would be: _______________________________
_________________________________________________________
This would cause ( more less the same ) seed dispersal.

Circle One

12) Changes in the amount of sugar would affect which type of plant (circle affected plants)?
Dandelion Tomato
Burr Clover Palm
The effect of more sugar would be: ______________________________
_________________________________________________________
This would cause ( more less the same ) seed dispersal.

Circle One

13) Changes in the amount of animals would affect which type of plant (circle affected plants)?
Dandelion Tomato
Burr Clover Palm
The effect of more animals would be: ____________________________
_________________________________________________________
This would cause ( more less the same ) seed dispersal.

Circle One

14) Draw what happens to the dandelion seed in the step 2 and step 3 boxes.

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

15) Is this a cycle? Yes No
16) Do people affect seed dispersal? Yes No
17) If yes what are some of the ways? ______________________________
______________________________
______________________________

Making Seeds
You are going to make a seed that can be dispersed by either wind or animals. Then you will test how well the seed performs by either putting it in front of a wind source (fan) or seeing how well it stays on an animal’s fur (stuffed animal).

18) I want to make a seed that is dispersed by (circle one): wind animal
19) Circle three materials that you would like to use to make your seed:

kleenex	tape	modeling clay
styrofoam ball	paperclips	foil
tissue paper	paper	toothpicks
pipe cleaners	cotton balls	velcro (max 5)

20) I picked ___________________________________________ because
________________________________________________________
21) I picked ___________________________________________ because
________________________________________________________
22) I picked ___________________________________________ because
________________________________________________________

Material 1

Material 2

Material 3

Get your materials and build your seed. Once your seed is completed, set it on the seed testing tray.

23) I predict example seed 1 was made to be dispersed by: wind animals
because__________________________________________________
My prediction was (circle one): correct incorrect

(circle one)

24) I predict example seed 2 was made to be dispersed by: wind animals
because__________________________________________________
My prediction was (circle one): correct incorrect

(circle one)

25) I predict example seed 3 was made to be dispersed by: wind animals
because__________________________________________________
My prediction was (circle one): correct incorrect

(circle one)

As a class, test the seeds. Fill out the data table for your seed and the three classmates’ seeds that are in your group.

Data Table

Student / Letter	Planned / Dispersal Method / (circle one)	Number of / Shakes Stayed / on Animal	Distance Seed / Traveled / (cm)	Observations
A	Wind / Animal
B	Wind / Animal
C	Wind / Animal
D	Wind / Animal

26) What do the seeds that stayed on the animal the longest have in common?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
27) What do the seeds that fell off the animal quickly have in common? ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

28) What do the seeds that traveled the farthest distance have in common?________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
29) What do the seeds that traveled the shortest distance have in common?________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
30) If I change the _____________________ used in my seed to _____________________ it would cause my seed to _______________ ________________________________________________________

Material I Used

Material I Could Have Used

31) What does it mean to do a good job of being dispersed by wind? _______________________________________
32) What does it mean to do a good job of being dispersed by animals?_____________________________________

33) Are most seeds good at being dispersed by both wind and animals
(circle one)? Yes No
34) What is the purpose of a seed sticking to animals or being blown by the wind?____________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
35) Does being blown by the wind or staying attached to animals solve the same problem (circle one)? Yes No

36) I think having seed dispersed by ( wind animals)
is a better method of seed dispersal because
_________________________________________
_________________________________________

Circle One

Make a poster with your group to teach your buddies about seed dispersal and how humans influence it. Decide if your group would like to highlight seeds that are dispersed by wind or animals. Then decide which presenter you will be (1-4) and get the appropriate poster piece from your teacher.

37) Our group will present on seeds dispersed by (circle one): wind animals
38) I will be presenter (circle one): 1 2 3 4

Group 1

Student A’s Seed:	Student B’s Seed:
Student C’s Seed:	Student D’s Seed:

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