Seed Distribution

When plants make seeds they need to spread so that they have the best chance of growing. There are 5 main ways that seeds can be distributed. These are by water, such as coconuts that can float away on the water to a new place to grow. By bursting like poppy seeds. By animals like burr seeds that attach themselves to animal and drop off later. By being eaten like tomato or strawberry seeds and by the wind like dandelion seeds.

For this science activity we are focussing on an example of seed distribution by the wind by making a model helicopter seed. To do this all you will need is a piece of paper and a pair of scissors but if you find it easier you can download and print this template

You will need a piece of paper about 1/3 the size of a piece of an A4 sheet of paper. You need to make a cut, up the middle, almost to halfway up the longest half of the rectangle. We are then going to make two small cuts just below halfway approximately 1/3 of the way in towards the middle on each long side

We are then going to fold the top two pieces in opposite directions while we fold the bottom pieces in the same direction

You now have a helicopter seed model. If you hold it up and let it go you will see it fly. Why not make some different sizes and see what differences you can see...

To see the video tutorial for this activity, visit the Surrey Libraries Facebook Page or the Surrey Libraries YouTube Channel.