Dandelion Investigation

Teacher page

Comparative Investigation Question:

Which area bushes or grass has the most dandelionsin the schoolyard?

  • Show students a dandelion plant
  • Choose a landscaped area with bushes and a grassy area

Materials:

Map of area to show locations of sites would be wonderful, but not required to do activity

Hula hoop OR 4 meter sticks or dowels OR a meter square for each group

Clip boards

Recording sheets

Procedure:

  1. Choose a landscaped area with bushes (or trees) and a grassy area that has not been recently mowed if possible.
  2. Divide students into groups of 3- 4
  3. Explain that in field investigations location and site descriptions are essential to gather useful information.
  4. Give students information about dandelions life cycle and what the plant looks like without flowers
  5. Have students predict which area will have the most dandelion plants.
  6. Choose 10 sample locations within the bush area.
  7. At each sample location have students have students record date, time, place, and describe the site including weather
  8. Students place their hula hoop on the ground and count the number of dandelion plants within the hoop
  9. Next the students go to one of 10 sample locations in the grassy area and describe the site
  10. Students place their hula hoop on the ground and count the number of dandelion plants within the hoop.

Dandelion Investigation

Student Page

Field Investigation Question:

Which area bushes or grass has the most dandelions?

Prediction: Predict which area you think will have the most dandelion plants:

______

Materials: Hula Hoop

Dandelion Investigation Procedure:

  1. Locate a random sample location in the bush area
  2. Record the date, time, and place (where you are)
  3. Describe the weather and give a general description of the area
  4. Place the hula hoop on the ground and record the number of dandelions that fall within the hoop on the data sheet
  5. Locate a random sample location in the grassy area and repeat steps 3 and 4.
  6. Repeat the entire investigation 9 more times.

Dandelion

Field Investigation

Question______

Prediction______

Location______

Weather______

Date______

Trial Number______

Area / Area Description / # of Dandelions
Bush area
Grassy Area

1

Pacific Education Institute

Dandelion Investigation

Question: Which area bushes or grass has the most dandelions?

Prediction______

Bush Area description______

Grass Area description______

Vegetation Area vs. Number of Dandelions in a hula hoop sample

Area / Number of Dandelions in a hula hoop
Trial 1 / Trial 2 / Trial 3 / Trial 4 / Trial 5 / Trial 6 / Trial 7 / Trial 8 / Trial 9 / Trial 10 / Average
Bush
Grass

1

Pacific Education Institute