Plant Development and Seed Structure

Michael Despo introduces an activity to explore seeds using the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The activity involves soaking lima beans, examining their structure, and connecting observations to NGSS crosscutting concepts. Students predict seed contents, use evidence notebooks, and employ tools like magnifying lenses to enhance observation. The activity links to concepts such as patterns, scale, energy, matter, structure, function, stability, and change, fostering self-directed learning and deeper understanding of plant development.

What materials are needed to perform the seed activity?

• Peas and a thermometer

• Corn kernels and a ruler

• Sunflower seeds and a magnifying glass

• Limea beans and a cup of water

What should students do before examining the seeds?

• Plant the seed in soil

• Measure the seed's weight

• Write a report

• Predict what they might find inside the seed

What is revealed when the seed coat is removed?

• A piece of rock

• A small insect

• A hollow space

• A tiny plant inside the seed

How can tools enhance the observation of seeds?

• By making the seed grow faster

• By making the seeds larger

• By providing a clearer view of the seed's structure

• By changing the seed's color

Which NGSS concept involves the repetition of forms in plants?

• Energy and matter

• Patterns and form

• Stability and change

• Cause and effect

What does the concept of scale refer to in the seed activity?

• The speed of seed growth

• The weight of the seed

• The size difference between the tiny plant and the adult plant

• The color of the seed

Where does the tiny plant inside the seed get its initial energy?

• From the soil

• From water

• From the matter within the seed

• From the sun

What NGSS concept is demonstrated by the plant's ability to photosynthesize?

• Cause and effect

• Energy and matter

• Patterns and form

• Stability and change

How does the concept of structure and function apply to the seed activity?

• By describing the seed's taste

• By illustrating how the seed's structure supports its growth

• By explaining the seed's weight

• By showing how the seed's color changes

What does the concept of stability and change highlight in plant development?

• The plant's identity remains the same despite structural changes

• The plant's location is fixed

• The plant's color remains constant

• The plant's size never changes