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How did a tree travel halfway around the world?
Plant Adventures Unit | Lesson 1 of 4
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How did a tree travel halfway around the world?

Plant Adventures Unit | Lesson 1 of 4
Lesson narration:
English Spanish
Scroll for prep
Video trouble?
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DISCUSS:
How could the same kind of tree grow in only two places, thousands of
miles apart?
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DISCUSS:
How could a koa seed travel all the way from Hawaii to Réunion?
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DISCUSS:
How will the structure around these seeds change how they travel
through the air?
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Step
01/18
You’ll work with a partner.
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Step
02/18
Get your supplies.
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Step
03/18
Write your name on the back of your maple model. Then fold dot A to
dot B. When you’re done, the gray triangle should be covered.
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Step
04/18
Fold the triangle up so that it covers the picture of a seed.
Slide your paper clip on the bottom of your seed.
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Step
05/18
Cut along the dotted line. Stop at the stop sign. When you’re done,
this part of your maple model should have two flaps.
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Step
06/18
Fold flap 1 on the line toward you. Fold flap 2 on the line away from
you. Push your folded flaps up with your fingers so they stick out
sideways.
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Step
07/18
When your teacher tells you, stand up next to your desk. Pretend to
be a tree. Root your feet to the ground, stand up tall, and stretch
your arms up.
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Step
08/18
Hold your maple model from the side with two fingers. Hold it high
above your head. Drop your model and observe how it falls. Repeat.
You have 3 minutes to test.
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Step
09/18
Discuss:
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Step
10/18
Write your name on the back of your rain tree model. Cut along the 2
dotted black lines. Stop at the stop sign. When you’re done, you’ll
have two slits.
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Step
11/18
Hold the two ends of your printout and make a “U.”
Slide the slit at one end into the slit at the other.
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Step
12/18
Pretend to be a tree! Hold your rain tree model in the middle with the
ends pointing sideways. Hold it above your head, drop it, and observe
how it falls.
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Step
13/18
Work with your partner to explore how both of your models fall.
Compare what is the same and what is different.
You have 3 minutes to test.
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Step
14/18
Discuss:
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Step
15/18
Write your name on the back of your koa model.
Fold it in half along the black line.
Run your fingernail along the fold to crease it.
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Step
16/18
Hold your koa model with two fingers at one end. Hold your model
above your head, drop it, and observe how it falls. Repeat.
You have 3 minutes to test.
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Step
17/18
Discuss:
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Step
18/18
Discuss:
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Slide Image
DISCUSS:
Do you think the wind could carry a koa seed halfway across the world?
Why or why not?
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DISCUSS:
What could help a cherry seed move from one place to another?
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DISCUSS:
What kind of animal could carry a koa seed across the ocean to the other
side of the world?
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seed


1 of 10

a part of a plant that can grow into a baby plant
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seedling


2 of 10

a young plant that grows from a seed
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structure


3 of 10

the specific form and shape of something

disperse


4 of 10

to move and spread out
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wind dispersal


5 of 10

when the wind moves a seed from one place to another
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water dispersal


6 of 10

when water moves a seed from one place to another
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animal dispersal


7 of 10

when an animal moves a seed from one place to another
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observe


8 of 10

to pay close attention to something
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compare


9 of 10

to notice what is similar and what is different between things
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model


10 of 10

a pretend version of something that scientists use when the real thing is too big, small, or complicated to work with
🎉 That’s it for this lesson! How did it go?
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Featured Reviews

“The students loved this activity. It was very simple to implement, but again, Mystery Science did a wonderful job teaching the complex concept of seed dispersal. Second graders had a great time thinking through and deducing how the Koa seed actually was dispersed. Some students were very surprised at how animals disperse seeds. Great job Mystery Science Team!”
· Elena · Teacher
“The hands-on seed models were the best part of the lesson!!!!”
· Julie · Teacher
“My class and I loved the making the different types of seeds. Many said this is the best activity of the year! Super engaging! ”
· Jennifer · Teacher
“They loved it! Seed dispersal was so fun and they and I were amazed at how far and different the simple paper seeds moved.”
· Veronica · Teacher
“The videos engage students and the activities are so well defined. They do not cost a lot of money and are enjoyable with great learning and challenge.”
· April · Teacher
“We loved making the seeds and learning how their shape helps them travel. ”
· Shannon · Teacher
“Watching the kids discuss the differences in the seed structure was awesome!”
· Kathryn · Teacher
“Love the updates on this lesson. My students LOVED making and testing the different types of seeds. They were all so engaged. What a great way to learn about seed dispersal!”
· Chrystal · Teacher
“It was age appropriate. Materials were accessible and easy to prepare. The students were highly engaged. They loved experimenting with the paper seeds! The videos were helpful in explaining the directions for the lesson and very informative and kept the students attention. ”
· Rachel · Teacher
“Loved the new cutouts for the seeds, the timers, and the explicit step by step videos including discussion questions for the children! Such easy prep and the kids LOVED it, especially when they became the tree.”
· Kristen · Teacher
“The kids loved the interactive testing part of the activity. The pauses for discussions for this lesson felt perfectly timed and paced, and it led to some really great conversations and critical thinking!”
· Jeanine · Teacher
“The children were really engaged and enjoyed it immensely. the resources were excellent and there was some amazing learning. I particularly like the questioning through out that gave many of the children the ability to stretch and challenge their thinking. Thanks”
· Victoria · Teacher
“This was a terrific hands-on activity! Students were able to complete their models independently and feel successful. It generated a lot of thought and discussion.”
· Julie · Teacher
“Kids loved it. They were very interested in the activity and they were excited to take it home and share with their families.”
· Christina · Teacher
“We loved making the paper models of seeds, and then testing them out!”
· Gina · Teacher
“My kids loved testing out how each seed would fall. The hands-on activity was a hit!”
· Connie · Teacher
“The lesson and activity were fun and engaging. The new visuals and step by step directions are a great improvement!”
· Esther · Teacher
Lesson narration:
English Spanish

Grade 2

Plant Adaptations

Seed Dispersal

2-LS2-2, K-2-ETS1-2

Activity Prep

Print Prep
THIS LESSON WAS REVISED ON FEB 1, 2023. Here is a link to the previous version.
In this lesson, students investigate the mystery of the koa tree, a type of tree that grows in only two places—islands halfway across the world from one another. In the activity, students develop three different physical models of seed structures. They observe how structure affects the seed’s function in dispersing away from the tree. Then, they use these observations to evaluate whether koa seeds are likely dispersed by wind, water, or animals.
Preview activity

I have a Mystery Pack

Koa Seed Model printout
Make sure to prep these before class (see instructions below). 		Print 10 copies
Maple Seed Model printout
Make sure to prep these before class (see instructions below). 		Print 6 copies
Rain Tree Seed Model printout
Make sure to prep these before class (see instructions below). 		Print 5 copies
Scissors
30 pairs
Paper Clips
30 clips
Prep Instructions

We suggest students work in pairs. Each student will make their own seed models, but having a partner is useful for discussion and testing during the activity. Homeschool students can work on their own.

Prepare Seed Models

Each of the printouts has multiple seed models. We suggest cutting these seed models ahead of time for your students. Using a paper cutter can make this prep go quickly. Print out and prep enough so that each student has one Maple Seed Model, one Rain Tree Seed Model, and one Koa Seed Model.

Make Sure You Have Enough Space

Each student will be making and dropping three different seed structure models. Students will be asked to stand up and find a space to drop their seed models. In our tests, the seed models didn’t move very far, so students should need just a few feet around their desks.

Teacher Background

You and your students may notice that the seed models don’t look exactly like the real seed structures. The models may look different than the real things, but they should mimic the function of how the real seeds fall and float to the ground.

Exploration

10 mins

Hands-On Activity

35 mins

Wrap-Up

15 mins

Grade 2

Plant Adaptations

Seed Dispersal

2-LS2-2, K-2-ETS1-2

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Plants Lesson 1: How did a tree travel halfway around the world?

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