Module 2

Activity A: Understanding Flower Structure & Plant Reproduction

Participants will:

• Examine several varieties of flowers observing their scent, color, & conformation.
• Dissect and identify parts of the flowers using the flower identification sheet.
• Review the characteristics of flowers listed on the Field Observation Chart created by the group in Session I.

Materials Needed:

• A variety of fresh flowers
  
• Small sharp scissors
  
• Flowers Poster (showing flower structure and function, available from Edugraphics.net, #GS520-BB)
  
• Taking a Closer Look at Flowers record sheet, 1 for each type of flower
  
• Flower Anatomy Sheet, 1/participant
  
• Design Your Own Flower activity sheet, 1/participant
  
• Felt markers
  
• Group Observation Record of pollinators and plants generated by group during Session I
  
• Books with detailed drawings of number of different kinds of flowers (optional)

Getting Ready

• Carefully read background material.
  
• Check local library for botany books (optional).
  
• Obtain a variety of fresh flowers — may ask participants to bring flowers.
  
• Make copies of activity sheets: Flower Anatomy, Design Your Own Flower, and
  Taking a Closer Look at Flowers
  
• Display Group Observation Record of pollinators and plants generated by group during Session I

Suggested Groupings

Participants can work as individuals or groups of 2 or 3.

Exploration

Science Process: Observing, Learning, Recording

1. Give each participant a copy of the Flower Anatomy sheet.
   


2. Spread fresh flowers out on a table, or place individual flowers in plastic cups. Place one Taking a Closer Look at Flowers sheet labeled with the name of the flower with each sample for recording observations.
   


3. As a group examine the flowers and discuss:
   
   What parts of the flower are visible?
   
   How are flowers different?
   
   How are they similar?
   
   Encourage participants to notice and compare flower characteristics such as shape, petals (color, patterns, texture, and number), scent, and whether the flower is composite (composted of many small flowers) or simple.
   


4. Divide group into teams of 2 or 3 participants to examine one flower and record their observations on the Taking a Closer Look at Flowers sheet.

Concept Development

1. A. Have each group dissect their flower, carefully laying out the different parts and comparing the real flower with the Flower Anatomy sheet. If necessary, help them identify the basic flower structures.
   
   B. Have each participant fill out a Taking a Closer Look at Flowers sheet to reinforce/review the basic structure of a flower.
   


2. A. As a whole group or in small groups, look at each dissected flower and the accompanying Taking a Closer Look at Flowers sheets.
   
   B. Discuss as a group the features they have identified, i.e., floral color, form, reward, scent, and structure.
   


3. Discuss the basic process of pollination using the Flower Structure and Function poster. Depending on the age of your group, focus on the cross-section of the flower and the development of the pollen grain, pollinating agents, and types of pollination.
   


4. Have them predict what type of pollinator could be expected to pollinate each of the flower types. Encourage the participants to think about the size and configuration of each flower and the characteristics of a potential pollinator:

• What size would the pollinator be? Would they need to be large and strong to get to the pollen and nectar? Would a small pollinator have a better chance at getting to the nectar?



• What would be the best type of "equipment" for reaching the nectar? (Beak, proboscis — long or short)



• Would the pollinator need to land on the flower or hover around the flower?

Flowers vary in shape, size, color, and form.
Top: honeysuckle flower.
Bottom: honey bee on thyme flowers.
Photos by Suzanne DeJohn/NGA.

Concept Application

1. In small groups brainstorm the question, If you were a pollinator what would your flower partner look, smell and taste like?
   
   Have participants make a sketch and describe their flower on the Design Your Own Flower sheet.
   
   Encourage lots of creativity and fun in this activity; their flowers might have pizza slice petals, a candy bar pistil, a favorite drink could be the nectar, etc.
   
   
2. Discuss other examples in nature where a plant or animal might do something special to attract a partner. Examples include the showy tail feathers of male peacocks and turkeys, and the bright colors of birds and fish.



3. What about humans? Do we do things to attract partners? If so, what types of things do we do?
   

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