Activity

Plant Bank

Key Learning

Students will investigate the role of seed banks in research, conservation, propagation and supply, through class discussion and a hands-on research project.

The Australian Curriculum

Science / Science Understanding / Biological sciences
Living things have life cycles. Year 4.(ACSSU072)

Living things, including plants and animals, depend on each other and theenvironmentto survive. Year 4.(ACSSU073)

The growth and survival of living things are affected by the physical conditions of theirenvironment. Year 6. (ACSSU094)
/ Science / Science as a Human Endeavour / Use and influence of science
Scientific knowledge is used to inform personal and community decisions. Year 5.(ACSHE217)

Discussion Questions

1.  Before watching the BtN Plant Bank story, discuss what you think a seed bank is, as a class.

2.  What is another word for plants?

3.  How many species of plants can be found in Australia?

a.  240

b.  24,000

c.  2.4 million

4.  Since European settlers arrived in Australia how many different types of plants have disappeared?

5.  Someone that studies plants is called a...

a.  Archaeologist

b.  Botanist

c.  Astronomer

6.  The idea of seed banks is a completely new idea. True or false?

7.  List a reason why scientists store seeds?

8.  Where in the world is the ‘doomsday vault’? Locate using Google Maps.

9.  Why is it important that we look after our plants?

10.  How are seeds prepared for the seed bank? Illustrate using a flow chart.

Activities

Engage

Before watching the BtN Plant Bank story, discuss as a class what you think a seed bank is?

After watching the BtN Plant Bank story, encourage students to participate in and contribute to a class discussion.

·  Why might scientists keep seeds? (Consider research, conservation, propagation, supply)

·  Why is it important for scientists to keep a seed bank?

·  What are heirloom vegetables?

Download the full transcript from the Plant Bank BtN story page. Highlight all the words that relate to seed banks and biology in general. Circle any unfamiliar words. Create your own classroom glossary of words with explanations.

Below is a list of words to start your classroom glossary. Students can refer to the classroom glossary throughout their research.

Native and indigenous plants

Introduce the concept of native and indigenous plants to the class. For example, why they are special, why some might be threatened (e.g. climate change, pests and diseases, pollution, habitat destruction), and what animals rely on these plants for their existence.

Students will then conduct their own research either individually or in groups. To further students investigation plan an excursion to your local botanic gardens or wildlife park to explore native plants.

·  Why do we need plants? (e.g. source of food and medicine, convert carbon dioxide into oxygen)

·  What is the difference between a native and an introduced plant?

·  Can you name any native Australian plants?

·  Are there any indigenous plants in your local area?

·  What things are threatening our native plants?

·  Name an animal or insect that relies on native plants.

·  Seed banks are often referred to as an ‘environmental insurance policy’. What does this mean?

·  Conduct research into an native Australian plant

o  How big does the plant grow?

o  Describe the anatomy of this plant. Does it flower? What colour is it? Illustrate.

o  What is its habitat (where does it live)?

o  Is this plant threatened or endangered?

o  What threatens it?

o  Is anything being done to preserve this plant?

o  What is your favourite thing about this plant?

o  What surprised you about your research?

Display the student’s research and drawings around the classroom or make a book for the class library.

Interesting facts

What interesting facts do you know about seeds and seed banks? Learn more about...

There is a seed bank called the ‘doomsday vault’. The back-up collection of seeds from the world's food and fibre plants is hidden under a mountain in the arctic. It's known as the 'Doomsday Vault'… because if something terrible were to happen on earth these seeds would be safe for any remaining humans to start growing again. http://curiosity.discovery.com/question/purpose-of-norway-doomsday-vault

It is so rare the ABC cannot reveal is real name or exact location. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-16/melbourne-scientists-work-to-save-one-of-the-rarest-orchids-in-/5026454

The average strawberry has 200 seeds.

...Share any interesting facts you find, by leaving a comment on the BtN Plant Bank story page

http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3870281.htm

Research project

Provide students with the opportunity to think and behave like a scientist.

The following activity is a hands-on research-based project for students to work on individually or in groups. The project encourages students to use research and inquiry based learning to discover more about Australia’s native plants and the conservation of our environment. This project emphasises quality research, collaboration (if working in groups) and effective presentation.

Students will go on a plant scavenger hunt around their own school. Before students go on a scavenger hunt the teacher will identify several plants around the school that are appropriate for picking and then describe the characteristics and features of these plants to the class.

Send students on a scavenger hunt to look for the plants with the particular characteristics as discussed in class. A combination of words and/or drawings may be used for clues.

Students will collect samples of the plants and then remove the seeds for storing.

Students will prepare the seeds for storing. Seeds need to be kept cool and dry in either cloth or paper (if they are stored in plastic they may overheat, sweat and start to germinate).

Make labels to identify the different seeds, including the following information:

·  What is the botanical name of this plant?

·  What family group does this plant come from?

·  How many varieties of this plant are there?

·  When is the best time to sow this plant?

·  How far apart should the seeds or seedlings be planted?

CSIRO Science by Email. Try this experiment to learn more about storing your own tomato seeds.

http://www.csiro.au/helix/sciencemail/activities/tomatoseed.html

Students will swap seeds with other students in their class to build on their seed bank.

Students will germinate a selection of seeds that they have collected, to test seed viability and to re-plant into the school environment.

Students will keep a science reflection journal to reflect on their own leaning. Provide regular opportunities for students to write individual journal entries, using the following questions to help along the way:

·  What happened during this activity?

·  What did I learn?

·  What problems did I experience during this investigation?

·  How could I fix these problems?

·  What would I do differently next time?

·  One important fact I learned when doing this investigation was...

Flow chart

Students will draw a flow chart or diagram showing the steps involved in preparing seeds for seed banking.

Refer to the Australian National Botanic Gardens website for their seed bank procedures http://www.anbg.gov.au/gardens/living/seedbank/seedprocedures.html

http://www.globaleducation.edu.au/verve/_resources/flow_chart.pdf

Further activity

Explore CSIRO’s Paper seeds activity – this Double Helix Science Club activity shows you how to make a type of paper that will grow into a plant. http://www.csiro.au/Portals/Education/Programs/Do-it-yourself-science/Biological-sciences-activities/paper-seeds-activity.aspx

Adopt a seed held in the Kew Millennium Seed Bank. With four plant species at risk of extinction every day, it’s never been more urgent to protect the endangered plants which may be key to our survival. http://www.kew.org/support-kew/adopt-a-seed/adopt-a-seed-now/index.htm

8 Related Research Links

ABC Splash – Native plant seed bank

http://splash.abc.net.au/media/-/m/30807/native-plant-seed-bank

ABC Splash – Global seed vault

http://splash.abc.net.au/media/-/m/103638/global-seed-vault?source=search

ABC Splash – Sending seeds into space

http://splash.abc.net.au/media/-/m/103660/sending-seeds-into-space?source=search

Australian National Botanic Gardens – The National Seed Bank

http://www.anbg.gov.au/gardens/living/seedbank/

©ABC 2013