KS2 Plant scientists
What is a seed? What do plants need to grow and be healthy? Why do bees waggle? Investigate the life cycle of flowering plants in the perfect outdoor environment at Kew.
Level
Key Stage 2
Duration
90 minutes
Allocated space
15 pupils per group
Overview
Through careful observation and hands-on experience of living plants, pupils investigate the journey and life cycle of a plant from seed through to flowering.
Pupils will have the opportunity to explore how seeds are formed and dispersed, the importance of bees and how we can care for and look after our plants.
Please note, part of this session will take place in one of our classrooms.
Learning outcomes
Pupils will be able to:
- Identify and name key parts of a flowering plant and describe their functions.
- Describe the life cycle of a flowering plant including pollination, reproduction, seed formation and seed dispersal.
- Recognise the factors necessary for plants to be able to grow healthily.
We will ensure the learning outcomes focus on the year group taking part.
Keywords:
Leaf, stem, root, flower, petal, stigma, stamen, pollen, pollination, fertilisation, reproduction, seed, dispersal, germination
Curriculum links
Science
Year 3 – Plants
- Identify and describe the functions of different parts of flowering plants: roots, stem/trunk, leaves and flowers.
- Explore the requirements of plants for life and growth (air, light, water, nutrients from soil, and room to grow) and how they vary from plant to plant.
- Explore the part that flowers play in the life cycle of flowering plants, including pollination, seed formation and seed dispersal.
Year 5 – Living things and their habitats
- Describe the life process of reproduction in some plants.
- Investigate sexual and asexual reproduction in plants.
Working scientifically
- Gathering, recording, classifying and presenting data in a variety of ways to help answer questions.
- Recording findings using simple scientific language, drawings, labelled diagrams and keys.
- Using straightforward scientific evidence to answer questions or to support their findings.
- Reporting and presenting findings from enquiries, including conclusions.
