Seed Collection Bracelets
Tools:
- 2 strips of contact paper, long enough to fit around your wrist and 2– 4 inches wide (packing tape or masking tape can also be used).
Before You Explore:
How many different seeds do you think you will find when you explore?
Find a new place to explore for your seed hunt – visit www.btlt.org/trails or visit your local land trust’s website.
Connect with Nature:
- Before you begin your walk, peel off the backing on your contact paper and wrap the paper around your wrist with the sticky side out.
- Keep these on your wrists to keep your hands free while you collect.
- When you find a seed on your hunt, stick it to your bracelet!
- See if you can fill your bracelets with seeds of different shapes, sizes and colors. How are these seeds different? Happy hunting!
Dive Deeper!
Where do seeds come from and how do they travel? Read: A Seed Is Sleepy by Diana Hutts Aston. Check out this super fun science video to learn more:
Some plants spread their seeds by exploding (or ballistic dispersal)! Check out this amazing slow-motion video to see seeds traveling 60 mph!
What’s in there? – Dissecting Seeds
Tools:
- Bean pod, acorns, and sunflower seeds
- Water
- Parts of a Seed sheet
Before You Explore:
What do you think the inside of each seed will look like? Draw a picture of your predictions.
Connect with Nature:
- Soak your seeds in water for 12 – 24 hours
- Rub a soaked seed between your fingers, the “seed coat” should rub off.
- Split your seed in two, there is a slit going down the middle of your seed where it should come apart with a little help.
- Observe the inside of your seed. Were your predictions correct?
- Using the “parts of a seed” sheet included, check out the different parts of the seed that you can see.
- It may be easier to see the baby plant inside your seed after it dries out. After the dissection place the seed aside and reexamine it after it is dry. Do you see anything new?
Dive Deeper!
What seeds do you eat? Check out this fun activity from the Edible School Yard –https://edibleschoolyard.org/seeds-we-eat
Read to have your mind blown? Let’s dissect! Follow this link to dive deeper into the seeds we eat and learn how to tell the real difference between a fruit and a vegetable! Let’s Dissect: Fruit or Vegetable?