Hands-On Botany

Through a series of lectures, labs, and creative activities, Hands-On Botany introduces students to key ideas from botany and ecology while also fostering an appreciation of both nature and of learning. The central theme is the connection between form and function. The first lesson gives students an overview of the huge variety of shapes and forms in the plant kingdom, and points out that this huge diversity of form is what enables to live an equally huge diversity of environments. The next three lessons each focus on one particular plant part (leaves, flowers, and fruits), and the way that the design of these parts affects their ability to function in different environments. In the final lesson, students generate a random environment (D&D style), and then use their understanding of form and function to design a plant that would thrive in that environment. In every activity, science and art go hand in hand.

Note that, to support equitable access to learning materials, this same package is also available for free on our website: http://mindfulmammoth.com/lessons/