Science Smarts: Sticky seed challenge

By Patty Rooks on September 3, 2022.

All I can say is OH MY! I was walking through the field the other day and when I got home, quite a few “somethings” were poking me in the ankles. I looked down and WOW there were SO many little seeds all through my leggings and socks… They were pretty stuck to me. I challenge you to go for a walk this weekend and try to identify some of these seeds. Hopefully the ones you find will not be all weeds, like mine were.

*Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment.

Materials

• Pair of shoes

• Old pair of wool socks

•

Field or an area to walk around in

• Tweezers

• Magnifying glass

• Sheet of white paper

• Sturdy work surface inside

• Plastic bag

Procedure

1. Pull the wool socks on over the shoes that you are wearing.

2. Go outside to a field or an area that you can walk around in for a little while.

3. Make some observations as to what is on your path. Do you see weeds, flowers, trees? These observations may be useful in identifying what kinds of seeds you pick up along the way!

4. Once you are done walking, take the socks off very carefully.

5. Place the socks in the bag.

6. Return home and find a sturdy area to work.

7. Cover the area with a few sheets of white paper.

8. Remove the socks from the bag and place on the sheets of paper.

9. With the tweezers, gently pull off all of the seeds that have “hitchhiked” onto you.

10. Place the seeds on a sheet of white paper and observe them with a magnifying glass.

11. Try an online search to find out what seeds you may have picked up along your walk.

What is going on?

Seeds that attach to you as you are walking along are often called “hitchhikers”. They will have VERY tiny barbs that are able to not only stick in your socks or clothes, but quite often will stick in the fur of animals too. This is important for them as it allows the seeds to spread out and find a viable place to grow.

Mark your calendars, the Praxis AGM will be held on Friday, September 9, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. at the Kiwanis Centre in Medicine Hat. We are always looking for Board Members and Volunteers. We would love to have you join us, please email or call for more details on attending.

Patty Rooks, Senior Scientific Consultant PRAXIS, “Connecting Science To The Community”. Contact with Praxis at praxis@praxismh.ca, http://www.praxismh.ca, Tweet or follow us @PraxisMedHat, or friend us on Facebook. Address: #12 826 11 Street S. E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 1T7 Phone: 403.527.5365, email: praxis@praxismh.ca

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