Working with Dawn in the Greenhouse, exploration began with finding actual seeds from plants growing on the perimeter of the fields near the school. The class categorized the seeds based on how they dispersed and came up with four categories: wind, water, animal host, and expulsion mechanisms. They then built their own models of seeds.

Next the class focused on wind dispersal in more depth and built models that they hoped would glide at least three feet from a drop of eight feet. They tested their designs. The next step was to build models of helicopter seeds that were designed by an engineer to mimic the way many trees seeds disperse. The final challenge was to redesign and build craft that would carry a seed even farther than the earlier designs, experimenting with lift, drag and angle of attack to achieve maximum glide. Students recorded the final steps of the process and created the videos you see using iMovie. Enjoy!

coolness seed from Karin Gravina on Vimeo.

flying objects from Karin Gravina on Vimeo.

flying creations from Karin Gravina on Vimeo.

Flying seeds from Karin Gravina on Vimeo.

Seed MSG from Karin Gravina on Vimeo.