Module 2

Activity B: Designing a Flower

Participants will:

• Review basics of flower structure and function.
• Design a flower, giving attention to shape, size, color, and scent as well as applying what they have learned about the structure of flowers.

Materials needed

Note: Start collecting materials well in advance of this module. Ask participants to bring in items that can be included in the collection of creative materials. These materials will also be used in Module 3, Activity B.

Large variety of materials such as:

Tibouchina, osteospermum, and allium flowers.
Photos by Suzanne DeJohn/NGA

Basic supplies

• Scissors (1 pair/participant), white craft glue, tape, stapler, brads, colored markers, crayons, acrylic craft paints or poster paint & brushes (optional)



• Protective covering for work areas (newspaper or disposable plastic tablecloths).



• Display board, sky blue and green construction paper to cover it, pushpins or other method for attaching flowers.

Getting Ready

• Arrange to hold this activity where there is plenty of workspace — several large tables would be ideal.
  
• Cover tables
  
• Place basic equipment (scissors, glue, etc.) on tables.
  
• Place craft materials in a central location so all participants can see what is available.

Grouping

Individuals or teams of 2.

Review/Concept Development

1. As a group, have participants briefly review what they have learned in Activity A about the structure of a flower and the function of the parts of the flower.
   
   This is a good time to correct any misconceptions that may have occurred by asking, Does everyone agree with that idea? or Does anyone have a different understanding about ________?" from time to time.

Concept Application

1. Possibly start with a question: "Have you ever thought how much fun it would be to work on movies like the Harry Potter series, the Lord of the Rings trilogy, or the Star Wars series where you could invent creatures that no one has ever seen before?"

   You are going to be creators and inventors of new creatures — new pollinators and the flowers they would prefer. You have learned a lot about pollinators, such as bees and butterflies and how flowers are designed to attract them. Today we'll start by inventing flowers.

2. Challenge the participants to create a flower with the craft materials you have assembled. Remind them that they will be creating a pollinator partner soon, so they can keep that in mind as they design their flower.
   


3. Display the completed flowers on a bulletin board covered with construction paper. Leave space around each flower for the pollinator partner that the participants will create in Module 3.
   

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