Super seed spinner
Make this simple seed spinner to show how seeds are dispersed.
Learning objectives:
- Investigate the effect of weight on a seed spinner
- Discover the way to make a seed travel the furthest
- Find out how plants make sure they survive on Earth by sending out seed
Curriculum links:
- Science: Explore seed dispersal methods and investigate how weight affects seed movement
- Art & Design Technology (DT): Design and create seed spinners to simulate seed dispersal
- Maths: Measure and compare the distance seeds travel using various designs
Key vocabulary
Preparation and equipment
Preparation
Trees and plants use different methods to move their seeds and make them land away from them. This will make sure they have enough light and water to grow and eventually reproduce.
Collect different seeds and look to see how they travel.
Look at apples, acorns, conkers, peas, seeds from pinecones and sycamore trees as well as dandelions.
Equipment
- Post-it notes
- Scissors
- Paperclips
- Collected seeds
Step by step
- Use one square post-it note and make three cuts at equal distances from the bottom edge towards the sticky area at the top. Stop around 15mm before the top
- Fold the middle strip downwards to make a Y shape - it should stick to the sticky area
- The other two ‘arms’ can be folded with one facing forward and one behind. This is now a ‘seed spinner’. It is based on an acer seed or helicopter seeds as they are more commonly known
- To begin, use a paperclip and attach it to the centre area of the Y. Hold the seed above your head and let it drop to the floor taking note of how it flew and where it landed
Hints and tips
- Gravity plays an important part in seed dispersal - how can you see gravity? Think about how it will affect seed dispersal
- What is more important - moving quickly or for a greater distance?
- If you can, go upstairs and drop the seed spinner from the top
- Our seed spinner template has two version on it, have a go at both!