Plant Power

Level: Foundation to Year 6.

Duration: Available in a 60 or 90 minute format. We recommend a 90 minute format if budget and timetabling constraints allow.

Numbers: Each workshop can cater to a maximum of 30 children. However, smaller groups have better access to equipment and the facilitator.

State: VIC, NSW & QLD

There are hundreds of thousands of plant species, but many share common anatomical features.

Plant cells are different to animal cells.

Plants are autotrophs and collect energy from the Sun using photosynthesis.

Plants grow and change over time, and have a life cycle, like all living things.

Different plants will thrive under different environmental conditions, but there are certain things that most plants need to survive.

Plants reproduce using seeds, and the type of seed they produce is dependent on their environment.

Students collect a mature plant specimen and observe and record its anatomy.

Students observe how water and other nutrients are transported from the roots of a plant through the xylem.

Students learn about soil pH and test the acidity of soil samples using litmus paper.

Students discover the different methods that plants use to spread their seeds, and make a model of a ‘helicopter’ seed.

Students experiment to determine the effect of moisture, temperature and light on plant growth by creating mini-greenhouses.

Students learn about chlorophyll and extract it from leaves.

Living things have a variety of external features and live in different places where their basic needs, including food, water and shelter, are met (VCSSU042)

Living things grow, change and have offspring similar to themselves (VCSSU043)

Different living things have different life cycles and depend on each other and the environment to survive (VCSSU058)

Living things have structural features and adaptations that help them to survive in their environment (VCSSU074)

The growth and survival of living things are affected by the physical conditions of their environment (VCSSU075)

Respond to and pose questions, and make predictions about familiar objects and events (VCSIS050)

Participate in guided investigations, including making observations using the senses, to explore and answer questions (VCSIS051)

With guidance, identify questions in familiar contexts that can be investigated scientifically and predict what might happen based on prior knowledge (VCSIS065)

Explores the characteristics, needs and uses of living things (STe-3LW-ST)

Describes observable features of living things and their environments (ST1-4LW-S)

Identifies how plants and animals are used for food and fibre products (ST1-5LW-T)

Examines how the environment affects the growth, survival and adaptation of living things (ST3-4LW-S)

Observes, questions and collects data to communicate and compare ideas (ST1-1WS-S)

Living things have basic needs, including food and water (ACSSU002)

Living things have a variety of external features (ACSSU017)

Living things live in different places where their needs are met (ACSSU211)

Living things grow, change and have offspring similar to themselves (ACSSU030)

Living things have life cycles (ACSSU072)

Living things depend on each other and the environment to survive (ACSSU073)

Living things have structural features and adaptations that help them to survive in their environment (ACSSU043)

The growth and survival of living things are affected by physical conditions of their environment (ACSSU094)

Pose and respond to questions, and make predictions about familiar objects and events (ACSIS024)

With guidance, plan and conduct scientific investigations to find answers to questions, considering the safe use of appropriate materials and equipment (ACSIS054)

Represent and communicate observations and ideas in a variety of ways (ACSIS029)