Download Plant Masters

Plant Masters
Can you design a plant using only
your knowledge of plants, a few basic
ecological principles, and a brief list
of mysterious plant characteristics?
Of course YOU CAN !!!!
Project Description:
In this activity:
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Each group will be given an
large envelope with the
characteristics of a certain
plant listed inside.
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Each group will use the plant
description to construct a
small scale 3-dimensional
model of the plant using the
art supplies provided.
(20 minutes)
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Group members will take
digital photos of the final
model.
Groups will then explain their
models in detail (from an
ecological perspective).
The ‘real’ plant will be
revealed to the groups.
Each group will download the
image of their model to this
PowerPoint presentation and
answer the corresponding
questions/items presented at
the end.
Goal: Students will explore ecological principles such as
biodiversity, adaptations, habitats, significance of
geography & weather, conservation/preservation,&
relationships between plants with humans and other
organisms.
Mystery Plant #1
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Massive, jug-shaped trunk for
storing large amounts of water
Can live for over 1,000 years
Flowers are white, fruits vary in
shape (globular or oval shaped),
with purple stamens
Branches are usually found at the
crown, spread horizontally, and
appear twisted
Tropical Climate
Mystery Plant #2
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Its deep roots penetrate the Earth farther than
most plants.
Can survive long periods of drought and famine.
Strong & provides shelter to many animals.
Has a single narrow trunk or branching near the
trunk with foliage that appears at the crown –
causing an often flat topped appearance.
Leaves are short, grey and hairy
Giraffes are one of only a few animals who can
get its leaves directly off of the tree.
Its fruits provide food and nourishment.
Has creamy spherical flower heads
Mystery Plant #3
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Straight, clean trunk (2-4 ft) with a
small fairly full crown
Prefers medium moisture
Deciduous leaves that are deep
green during the spring/summer
Spreading, horizontal star-shaped
leaves
Aromatic
Brown seed balls
Mystery Plant #1
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The Baobab Tree
Native to Africa; Found
in Kenya and West Africa
Massive, jug-shaped
trunk for storing large
amounts of water
Can live for over 1,000
years
Flowers are white, fruits
vary in shape (globular
or oval shaped), with
purple stamens
Branches are usually
found at the crown,
spread horizontally, and
appear twisted
Tropical Climate
Mystery Plant #2
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The Acacia Tree
Found in Kenya and on the Africa
continent
Its deep roots penetrate the
Earth farther than most plants.
Can survive long periods of
droughts and famine.
Strong & provides shelter for
many animals.
A single narrow trunk or
branching near the trunk with
foliage that appears at the crown
– often causing a flat topped
appearance.
Leaves are short, grey and hairy
Giraffes are one of only a few
animals who can get its leaves
directly off of the tree.
Its fruits provide food and
nourishment.
Has creamy spherical flower
heads
Mystery Plant #3
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The Sweet Gum Tree
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Ornamentally cultivated
in St. Louis, its primarily
found in the Eastern
United States
Straight, clean trunk (24 ft) with a small fairly
full crown
Prefers medium
moisture
Deciduous leaves that
are deep green during
the spring/summer
Spreading, horizontal
star-shaped leaves
Aromatic
Brown seed balls
WOW, Isn’t it fun being a
PLANT MASTER!!!
Now, let’s do a little
comparing and contrasting.
The Baobab Tree
Insert a Digital Photo of
Your Model Here
List each of the
descriptors and
discuss any
related
adaptations and
the advantage of
the adaptation.
Ex:
1. Massive jug
shaped trunk—
important
because…
The Baobab Tree
Insert a Digital Photo of
Your Model Here
The Baobab Tree - Inquiries
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Insert a Digital Photo of
Your Model Here
Why do you think
this tree has
continued to live
on Earth for so
many years?
The Baobab Tree - Inquiries
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Insert a Digital Photo of
Your Model Here
How is The Baobab
Tree important to
the environment
and or ecosystem?
Plant Masters…
What did you learn from this activity?
The Acacia Tree
Insert a Digital Photo of
Your Model Here
List each of the
descriptors and
discuss any
related
adaptations and
the advantage of
the adaptation.
Ex:
 1. Deep roots—
probably helps…
The Acacia Tree
Insert a Digital Photo of
Your Model Here
The Acacia Tree - Inquiries
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Insert a Digital Photo of
Your Model Here
Which do you
think evolved first,
the long Giraffe
necks or the tall
trunk of the acacia
tree and why?
The Acacia Tree - Inquiries
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Insert a Digital Photo of
Your Model Here
How is The Acacia
Tree important to
the environment
and or ecosystem?
Plant Masters…
What did you learn from this activity?
The Sweet Gum Tree
Insert a Digital Photo of
Your Model Here
List each of the
descriptors and
discuss any
related
adaptations and
the advantage of
the adaptation.
Ex:
 1. Clean straight
trunk—important
because …
The Sweet Gum Tree - Differences
Insert a Digital Photo of
Your Model Here
The Sweet Gum Tree - Inquiries
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Insert a Digital Photo of
Your Model Here
What are some
advantages to the
Sweet Gum Tree’s
appearance and
design? (i.e., color,
deciduous, full, etc.)
The Sweet Gum Tree - Inquiries
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Insert a Digital Photo of
Your Model Here
What are the
advantages of the
Sweet Gum tree seed
balls?
The Sweet Gum Tree - Inquiries
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Insert a Digital Photo of
Your Model Here
Why is the Sweet
Gum Tree important
to our ecosystem or
environment?
Plant Masters…
What did you learn from this activity?