Activity
Build a Seed Dispersing Machine
Social Studies:
Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) Outcomes and Experiences
SOC 2-08a: I can discuss the environmental impact of human activity and suggest ways in which we can live in a more environmentally-responsible way.
SOC 3-08a: I can identify the possible consequences of an environmental issue and make informed suggestions about ways to manage the impact
Technology:
TCH 2-09a: I can extend and enhance my design skills to solve problems and can construct models
TCH 3-09a: I can create solutions in 3D and 2D and can justify the construction/graphic methods and the design features
Duration Materials 1 class period
Copy of A Window Into Outdoor pages 36 - 39
Planting target worksheet X 3 attached lengthwise to each other
Pencils, coloured pencils, or pens.
Optional: Small sticky notes or scrap paper for quick ideas
Axles – jumbo straws, wooden skewers, paper rolled into tubes, pencils
Body – plastic bottles or cups, cardboard or tissue boxes, cardboard tubes
Other supplies – card, string, craft sticks, pipe cleaners, different sized disposable cups
Activity Instructions
1 Introduction: "Today, we're going to talk about landbased engineering, what do you think land-based engineers do?”
2 “They create solutions for engineering problems in forestry, agriculture, horticulture and environmental management. Highly skilled engineers help use resources more effectively and sustainably by designing, developing, operating and maintaining the technology and tools of the future. They are problem solvers.”
3.“One of the environmental issues they can help with is deforestation. Deforestation is the act of clearing forests for other land uses such as, building houses, space for farms, sport pitches, mono culture plots. etc. This can be detrimental because it destroys biodiversity, contributes to climate change by releasing stored carbon and degrades ecosystem services such as water regulation and soil stability.”
4.Activity: Build a Seed Dispersing Machine. Split the pupils into small groups.
5.Instructions:
“In your groups you are to build a machine to help counteract deforestation. The machine must disperse the seeds evenly as it moves making sure only ONE seed is planted on each targeted spot.”
“You will be given a print out sheet with the planting targets that you must make sure to hit when planting your seeds.”
“The seeds must come out by themselves you can NOT take them out by hand.”
“You can use any of the materials provided. You will be judged on accuracy as well as the aesthetic (how your machine looks) of your machine.”
6.Tips: Use these as prompts to help pupils who require some more support.
Measure between the marks on the paper to help judge how far to place the holes to allow the ‘seeds’ to come out at the right point. Make sure your hole is only big enough to let one seed out.
The machine will need wheels to move; bottle caps are great for this.
7 Hand out the Seed Dispersal worksheet and stick 2sided sticky tape over the rectangles to catch the ‘seeds’.
8.As a class let each team test their device, what went well, what would they change?
9.Wrap-Up: Once all teams have tested their prototypes ask the class what the enjoyed about the task; was there anything they found really difficult.
Activity Instructions
10. Recap that what they were doing today was solving the type of problem a land-based engineer might face as part of their job.
Extension: If you have extra time allow the teams to go back after the first test and upgrade their design before trying it out again.