Ideas for a Science Experiment 1

This is simple and fun experiment to do with children in classroom or at home.

#1 Experiment: Pinecone Protection

We will observe the pinecones open and close all by themselves!

Materials: Pinecone
Water
Tweezers
Large bowl
Shallow dish

Procedures :
1. Examine the pinecone closely for nuts. Pine nuts can be found between the scales of the pinecone. From the outside, the nuts appear thin and papery. Remove a nut by gently pulling on it with the tweezers.

2. Pour 3” of water into the large bowl. Leave one pinecone on the table. Have the children wash the others in water for several minutes.

 3. Every few minutes, compare the wet pinecones to the dry one until the wet pinecones are completely closed. This usually takes from 10-20 minutes.

4. Place the wet pinecones in the shallow dish and leave them on table with the dry pinecone for two or three days. Observe them periodically.


What Happened:
The pine nuts inside the pinecone are actually seeds which can grow into new trees. When the pine cone becomes wet, it closes up to protect its seeds. As the pine cone dries out, it gradually opens up again.
Suggestions and Variations:

• Observe pine trees after a rainstorm to see if the pinecones are closed on their own.
• Try planting some of the pine seeds you found to see if they sprout. (They may not if they are too old or have been partially eaten by insects.)

*This was not my idea, but I tried it and I loved it.


Enjoy !

Cheers,

Teacher Kira

 Save the Date – Friday Nov 30    Christmas Drive sponsored by San Marino Chamber of Commerce. 
On Huntington Drive from 5:00pm --8:00pm.

Join us for this annual tradition as businesses open up their doors and greet residents and non, many activities for kids and families as well as art project, cider, petting zoo etc.