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Students examine seeds and perform tests to see how weed seeds disperse.

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to:

  • Explain how some weeds arrived in New Zealand.
  • Describe three ways weeds spread to new areas
  • Explain two ways to prevent weeds from spreading.

Suggested prior lessons

  • What is a weed?
  • Cultivating weeds

Curriculum Connections

Science Levels 3-7

Vocabulary/concepts

weed, introduced, dispersal, seed, vegetative reproduction, rhizome, runner

Time

1 ½ - 2 hours over several weeks

Materials

  • old socks (1 per student)
  • collection of seeds (for“Blowin’ in the wind”)
  • copies of “Blowin’ in the wind”
  • calculation sheet
  • potting mix, trays or pots
  • paper towels
  • large plastic zipper bags
  • plant rhizomes (e.g.: twitch or yarrow)

Resources