Fun Activities

On The Job

Research and Development - BOTANIST

Online

bullet.gif (981 bytes)What is a fruit?

PrimaryPrimary MiddleMiddle 

CriticalAustralian Curriculum General Capability: Critical and creative thinking

LiteracyAustralian Curriculum General Capability: Literacy

Australian Curriculum Cross Curriculum Priorities: Sustainability Priority

Cooperative LearningCooperative Learning Activity

 

 

1. Write down all the fruits you like in a list. Discuss with a partner. Do you have the same list?

What makes something a fruit? Write down all the characteristics of "fruit"! Compare your characteristics with a partner.

2. Read the following article from The Conversation 31 August 2016

The Conversation

Do you have the same characteristics of fruit as the article? What would you now list as a fruit that you like?

3. Write down all the fruits listed in the article and the explanation of why they are a fruit.

4. Analyse the page on Fruit & Vegetables at the Victorian Better Health website! Has this website shown inaccuracies in their descriptions of fruit and vegetables and reinforces the misconceptions about fruit and vegetables. You will need to read the whole page!

List the inaccuracies. Compare with a partner's list and discuss.

Fruit & Vegetable
(Source: BetterHealth)

Which recipes do you think need to change to reinforce the difference between fruit and vegetables? List them and discuss with a partner.

5. If many of the "vegetables" are really fruit, develop a campaign to encourage students in your class to get 5 vegetables - true vegetables - into their diet! How hard would it be to convince your classmates to embrace more vegetables?

6. The avocado industry is trying to encourage Australians to eat more of this fruit. Landline studied the industry in May 2016 (in Landline's Archive).

Landline 

List two facts from this website.

7. Investigate the following All Recipes website and create ONE recipe using Fruit or Vegetables for your family meal.

Provide feedback to All Recipes about your family's rating of the recipe!

 

All Recipes
(Source: All Recipes)

 

 

bullet.gif (981 bytes)Plants and Space: Can it be done on Mars? (initial idea from Reuban West ACU Education student)

MiddleMiddle High SchoolSecondary

LiteracyAustralian Curriculum General Capability: Literacy

CriticalAustralian Curriculum General Capability: Critical and creative thinking
Personal and social capability
Australian Curriculum General Capability: Personal and social capability

Cooperative LearningCooperative Learning Activity

 

1. In 2015, the movie The Martian hit cinemas and was praised for it’s acting and creativity and also its correct use of science. The main character, Mark Watney (Matt Damon), is an astronaut left on Mars after an emergency evacuation of the planet goes wrong. Alone he must find a way to survive until help comes. A main source of his survival comes in the form of his Botany skills. He effectively grows crops on Mars.

But is this really possible?

Look at the following trailer and discuss with a partner. What does Mark Watney do to survive using plants? Would this be possible do you think?

The Martian | Official Trailer [HD] | 20th Century FOX
https://youtu.be/ej3ioOneTy8

 

2. The following articles take a look at the movie and the science of growing plants in space. You are to read half and your partner is to read half. Make notes particularly in regard to Botany and the role of Botanists in space.

Compare your notes and create a summary from all these articles. What do you think is the role of Botanists in Space? Why?

Warning: These articles may contain spoilers about the movie. Reading

The Conversation  30 September 2015

The Conversation
The Conversation 7 August 2015

The Conversation
Business Insider 29 September 2015

Business Insider
The Conversation 29 September 2016

The Conversation
The Conversation 26 February 2016

The Conversation
The Conversation 7 December 2013

The Conversation

3. Complete the following:

  • Read and compare the articles with a partner.
  • What is the evidence that the science in the film matches the science from real-life?
  • What factors should be taken into account when examining the science, particularly Botany, within this movie?
  • Would a Botany degree provide a good use during an actual planetary mission? Why? Why not?

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