Pollination Project: Discovering Flower Parts
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How do the intricate structures and diverse strategies of flowers ensure successful pollination and contribute to the broader ecosystem?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- What are the different parts of a flower and what are their functions?
- How does pollination occur?
- What are the different types of pollination?
- What is the role of pollinators in the environment?
- How do flowers attract pollinators?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will be able to identify and describe the different parts of a flower and their functions.
- Students will be able to explain the process of pollination.
- Students will be able to differentiate between various types of pollination.
- Students will be able to describe the role of pollinators in the environment.
- Students will be able to explain how flowers attract pollinators.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsThe Mystery of the Missing Monarchs
A local butterfly sanctuary reports a drastic decline in Monarch butterfly populations, coinciding with unusual changes in the flowering plants. Students investigate the flower structures and pollination processes to uncover potential causes and propose solutions to restore the butterfly habitat.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Flower Anatomy Explorer
Students will dissect a flower to identify and label its parts, understanding the function of each part in the process of pollination.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed labeled diagram of a dissected flower, including descriptions of each part's function.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will be able to identify and describe the different parts of a flower and their functions.Pollination Pathway Simulation
Students will create a model demonstrating the process of pollination, illustrating how pollen travels from the stamen to the pistil.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA physical or digital model demonstrating the process of pollination, accompanied by a presentation explaining the process.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will be able to explain the process of pollination.Pollinator Profile
Students will research and present on different types of pollinators, describing their roles and importance in the environment.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA presentation (poster, slideshow, or oral report) detailing the characteristics, behavior, and importance of a specific pollinator.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will be able to describe the role of pollinators in the environment.Flower Attraction Factor
Students will investigate how different flowers attract pollinators, focusing on color, scent, and shape.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA report on the characteristics of different flowers and how they attract pollinators, including experimental data if applicable.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will be able to explain how flowers attract pollinators.Pollination Type Comparison
Students will compare and contrast different types of pollination (e.g., self-pollination, cross-pollination, wind pollination, insect pollination).Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA Venn diagram or chart comparing different types of pollination, accompanied by a summary explaining the key differences.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will be able to differentiate between various types of pollination.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioComprehensive Flower and Pollination Portfolio Rubric
Flower Anatomy Knowledge
Demonstrates understanding of flower parts and their functions.Identification and Description of Flower Parts
Accuracy and completeness in identifying and describing the functions of flower parts (petals, sepals, pistil, stamen).
Exemplary
4 PointsAccurately identifies and comprehensively describes the functions of all flower parts with exceptional detail and clarity. Demonstrates a deep understanding of their roles in pollination.
Proficient
3 PointsAccurately identifies and describes the functions of most flower parts with good detail. Demonstrates a solid understanding of their roles in pollination.
Developing
2 PointsIdentifies some flower parts and provides basic descriptions of their functions. Shows a limited understanding of their roles in pollination.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to identify flower parts and provides incomplete or inaccurate descriptions of their functions. Demonstrates minimal understanding of their roles in pollination.
Pollination Process Explanation
Clarity and accuracy in explaining the pollination process.Model Accuracy and Explanation
Effectiveness of the pollination model and clarity of the explanation of the pollination process.
Exemplary
4 PointsCreates a highly effective and accurate model that clearly demonstrates the pollination process. Provides a detailed and insightful explanation.
Proficient
3 PointsCreates an accurate model that demonstrates the pollination process effectively. Provides a clear and coherent explanation.
Developing
2 PointsCreates a partially accurate model that demonstrates some aspects of the pollination process. Provides a basic explanation with some gaps.
Beginning
1 PointsCreates an incomplete or inaccurate model that does not clearly demonstrate the pollination process. Provides a vague or confusing explanation.
Pollinator Role Understanding
Depth of research and understanding of a pollinator's role.Pollinator Presentation Quality
Thoroughness of research, clarity of presentation, and understanding of the pollinator's role in the environment.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresents a comprehensive and engaging presentation with detailed information about the pollinator's characteristics, behavior, and crucial role in the ecosystem.
Proficient
3 PointsPresents a clear and informative presentation with accurate information about the pollinator's characteristics, behavior, and role in the environment.
Developing
2 PointsPresents a basic presentation with some information about the pollinator's characteristics, behavior, and role in the environment, but lacks detail.
Beginning
1 PointsPresents an incomplete or inaccurate presentation with minimal information about the pollinator's characteristics, behavior, and role in the environment.
Flower Attraction Investigation
Understanding of how flowers attract pollinators.Flower Attraction Analysis and Experiment Design
Quality of analysis of flower characteristics and design of experiment to test pollinator attraction.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a thorough and insightful analysis of how flower characteristics attract specific pollinators. Designs a well-controlled and innovative experiment to test these attractions.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides a clear analysis of how flower characteristics attract specific pollinators. Designs a logical experiment to test these attractions.
Developing
2 PointsProvides a basic analysis of how flower characteristics attract pollinators. Designs a simple experiment with some limitations.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides a vague or inaccurate analysis of how flower characteristics attract pollinators. Struggles to design a relevant experiment.
Pollination Type Comparison
Ability to compare and contrast different types of pollination.Comparison Accuracy and Summary Clarity
Accuracy of the comparison chart/diagram and clarity of the summary explaining the key differences between pollination types.
Exemplary
4 PointsCreates a comprehensive and accurate comparison chart/diagram that clearly distinguishes between different pollination types. Provides a detailed and insightful summary explaining the key differences.
Proficient
3 PointsCreates an accurate comparison chart/diagram that effectively distinguishes between different pollination types. Provides a clear and coherent summary explaining the key differences.
Developing
2 PointsCreates a basic comparison chart/diagram that identifies some differences between pollination types. Provides a limited summary with some gaps.
Beginning
1 PointsCreates an incomplete or inaccurate comparison chart/diagram that does not clearly distinguish between different pollination types. Provides a vague or confusing summary.