By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

1. Understand the concepts of seed dispersal and pollination.
2. Model the interdependence between organisms to move pollen or disperse seeds.
3. Discuss the importance of each component in the interdependence web.

Survival in the natural world hinges on a myriad of factors for both animals and plants, encompassing biological and abiotic elements. Fundamental necessities for animals encompass water, light, air, and shelter, while plants require water, light, air, and nutrients for sustenance.

Examining the interconnectedness of living organisms in nature, pollination and seed dispersal serve as poignant examples. All plants necessitate pollination to generate seeds and fruits. Pollination involves the transfer of pollen from the male part of one flower to the female parts of another . The pistil, a component of the female plant part situated in the flower's center, comprises various parts, including the stigma, where pollen is received. The ovary, located at the pistil's base, houses ovules or female plant eggs. When pollen lands on the stigma, it fertilizes the ovules within the ovaries, leading to the development of seeds and the transformation of the ovary into a fruit. Many plants rely on pollinators, often animals like insects (bees, wasps, flies, moths, butterflies), birds, or bats. Remarkably, these pollinators depend on the plants or pollen for sustenance; their survival is intricately linked to these essential resources.

Seed dispersal represents the subsequent phase in a flower's life cycle. Once fruits and seeds reach maturity, they need to find a suitable environment to sprout into a new plant. Nature employs diverse strategies for seed dispersal. Animal-mediated dispersal occurs through two primary methods. The first involves ingestion, where seeds are enclosed in edible and nutritious fruits, enticing birds and mammals. After ingestion, the undigested seeds are excreted, facilitating their growth in new locations. The second method is seen in plants that equip their seeds with hooks or spines, known as burrs. These structures latch onto an animal's fur as it passes, eventually falling off and germinating into a new plant. Examples include burdock, sea holly, and cocklebur. Another familiar seed dispersal mechanism is wind, with certain plants evolving seeds shaped to be carried over long distances by the wind. Examples include propeller-shaped maple tree seeds and feathery dandelion seeds.

1. Craft materials (colored paper, pipe cleaners, glue, etc.)
2. Scissors
3. Small seeds (e.g., sunflower seeds, beans)
4. Large paper or chart for collaborative drawing
5. Images or videos demonstrating seed dispersal and pollination
6. Books or resources about plants and their life cycles

Introduction: Begin by discussing the life cycle of a plant. Introduce the terms "seed dispersal" and "pollination" and explain their importance in plant reproduction.

• Vocabulary:

  • Seed Dispersal: The movement or transport of seeds away from the parent plant.
  • Pollination: The transfer of pollen from the male part of a flower to the female part, leading to fertilization.

Pre-lesson Discussion:

• Show images or videos demonstrating different methods of seed dispersal (wind, animals, water) and pollination (insects, bird,wind).
• Discuss the ways animals and insects help plants in seed dispersal and pollination.

Lesson Activities:

1. Model Making:

   • Provide students with craft materials and seeds.
   • In small groups, have students create a simple model that mimics the function of an animal in dispersing seeds or pollinating plants. For example, a paper bee with attached seeds for pollination.

2. Collaborative Drawing:

   • On a large paper or chart, collaboratively draw a scene depicting different methods of seed dispersal and pollination.
   • Discuss the importance of each method in the plant life cycle.

3. Seed Dispersal Simulation:

   • Conduct a simple simulation where students play the role of animals or elements like wind and water to disperse seeds in a designated area.

Conclusion:

Wrap up the lesson by summarizing the concepts of seed dispersal and pollination. Connect the lesson to real-world examples and emphasize the role of animals and elements in helping plants reproduce. Encourage students to observe nature and identify instances of seed dispersal and pollination in their surroundings.

1. Model Development:

   • Students will construct a simple model to imitate the function of an animal involved in either seed dispersal or pollination.
   • The model should showcase the key features of the chosen animal that contribute to its role in the reproduction process of plants.

2. Identification of Relevant Components:

   • Students will identify and select components of their model that represent specific structures of the chosen animal relevant to seed dispersal or pollination.
   • Components should be chosen based on their significance in mimicking the natural functions of the animal in plant reproduction.

3. Description of Relationships:

   • Students will describe the relationships between the various components of their model.
   • They should articulate how these components work together to imitate the natural interactions between animals and plants in the context of seed dispersal or pollination.

4. Understanding Structure-Function Relationships:

   • Students will grasp the concept of structure-function relationships in the natural world.
   • They should be able to explain how the chosen structures in their model give rise to the intended functions, reflecting an understanding of the principles governing living organisms.

5. Connection to Natural World:

   • Students will relate their model-building experience to real-world examples in nature.
   • Through discussions, students will express their comprehension of how certain structures in animals contribute to essential ecological processes such as seed dispersal or pollination.

Assessment:

• Model Presentation:

  • Have each group present their model, explaining how it mimics the function of an animal in seed dispersal or pollination.

• Class Discussion:

  • Engage in a class discussion about the importance of seed dispersal and pollination in the life cycle of plants.

Anther: pollen-producing structure at the tip of the stamen
Cotelydon: seed leaf; plant’s first leaf
Filament: part of the stamen that supports the anther
Ovary: structure at the base of the pistil; grows into the fruit in which the seeds develop
Pistil: the female part of the flower made up of the stigma, style, and ovary
Pollination: the movement of pollen from the male part of a plant to the female part of a plant
Seed: part of a plant that is capable of growing into a new plant
Stamen: male part of the flower made up of the anther and filament
Style: structure that connects the stigma and the ovary
Stigma: structure at the top of the pistil that receives pollen

Show a time-lapse video of a flower turning into a fruit, highlighting the process of pollination and eventual seed dispersal. Discuss the changes observed and raise questions about how seeds move from one place to another.

Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs):

1. LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems:

   • Plants depend on animals for pollination or seed dispersal.
   • Animals depend on plants for food and, in turn, help plants reproduce.

2. ETS1.A: Defining Engineering Problems:

   • Identify a problem related to seed dispersal and pollination that requires a solution.