Wild oat and its ‘performing’ seeds

This is an activity that will promote awe, wonder and curiosity within the classroom.

The pupils will closely observe familiar seeds behaving in a way they may not predict or have seen previously. This activity gives children the opportunity to discuss and hone their observation skills. Children will enjoy observing seed dispersal and watch seeds ‘plant themselves’.

There is a further activity for using oats in your teaching. The ‘Wild oats on the move’ student sheet is an enjoyable practical that encourages pupils to think about the adaptations that make the Wild Oat such an invasive weed. The experiment needs only simple equipment often associated with their maths lesson.