Create-a-Plant
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Introduction

After a visit to the Conservatory, students should have a good grasp of the concept of plant adaptation. In this creative activity, students are asked to create their own plant with its own set of adaptations. Students can write a summary and present it to the class.

There are two suggested approaches to this activity: Students can either construct models or draw imaginary plants that have adapted to specific environmental conditions.

Materials for drawing

• Crayons, colored pencils, pens or other media.
• Paper.

Suggested Materials for Constructing Models:

• Construction or other colored paper
• Paper Mache
• Fabric
• Tempera paint
• Clay
• Glue
• Tape
• Toothpicks
• Buttons
• Thread
• Thread spools
• Cotton
• Corks
• Straw
• Packing peanuts

Procedure

1. Ask students to select a biome: tropical rain forest, desert, grassland, deciduous forest, taiga or tundra.
2. Design a plant that will survive in your chosen biome.
3. As students design their plant, they can answer the following questions:
   • Does your plant need a lot or a little sunlight to grow?
   • How does it obtain this sunlight?
   • How does it get water?
   • Does your plant have a water shedding adaptation?
   • Why does it need this?
   • Does your plant have a water storing adaptation?
   • Why does it need this?
   • How does your plant obtain nutrients?
   • Does you plant protect itself from insects or animals?
   • Does your plant have a strategy for dealing with wind?
4. Ask students to write a paper that describes their biome and the their plant's adaptations.

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