Name: Date:
Student Exploration: Flower Pollination
Directions: Follow the instructions to go through the simulation. Respond to the questions and
prompts in the orange boxes.
Vocabulary: anther, cross-pollination, filament, fruit, ovary, ovules, petal, pistil, pollen, pollen tube,
pollination, self-pollination, sepal, stamen, stigma, style
Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)
1. How do insects help a plant to reproduce?
Plants make nectar to attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The animals carry pollen frothe
2. Apples, oranges, and watermelons are all examples of fruits. How are they all alike?
3. Based on your answer to question 2, do you think that a pumpkin is a fruit? How about broccoli?
Gizmo Warm-up
Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the male part of a flower, called the stamen, to the
female part of a flower, which is called the pistil. This fertilizes the female flower and enables it to
produce seeds and fruit. In the Flower Pollination Gizmo, you will explore how this process works.
1. On the POLLINATION tab, check that Self-pollination is selected.
How many flowers do you see?
Notice the different parts of the flower. The stigma is a sticky surface at the top of the female pistil.
The male stamen consists of a long filament and a pollen-producing anther.
2. Select Cross-pollination.
How many flowers do you see now?
3. How do you think cross-pollination may be different from self-pollination?
Reproduction for educational use only. Public sharing or posting prohibited. © 2020 ExploreLearning™ All rights reserved
Get the Gizmo ready:
Activity A:
● Select the POLLINATION tab.
● Click Self-pollination.
Pollination
● Click Start over.
Question: How are self-pollination and cross-pollination the same and how are they different?
1. Observe: Follow the directions in the Gizmo to observe the steps of self-pollination. In your own
words describe what happens in each step.
2. Think about it: Read the description of the last step carefully. Why do you think plants surround the
seeds with a yummy fruit?
3. Observe: Click Start over, then click Cross-pollination. Follow the directions to observe the steps
of cross-pollination. How is cross-pollination different from self-pollination?
4. Extend your thinking: In cross-pollination, pollen grains must get from one flower to another. What
are some ways that this might happen? Discuss your answer with your teacher and classmates.
Reproduction for educational use only. Public sharing or posting prohibited. © 2020 ExploreLearning™ All rights reserved
Get the Gizmo ready:
Activity B:
● Select the IDENTIFICATION tab.
Flower parts and
● Click Start over.
pollination
● Check Show information.
Goals: Identify the parts of the flower and describe the function of each.
1. Complete the diagram: Drag the ten listed flower parts to the blanks in the diagram. When a part is
labeled correctly, information about the part appears below.
When your diagram is complete, click the 📷 camera icon at upper right to take a Screenshot. You
can then paste the Screenshot below.
2. Test yourself: Uncheck Show information. For each flower part below, write the letter of the correct
description. Use the Gizmo to check your answers.
Anther A. A small leaf that protects the flower before it blooms
Filament B. They contain pollen
Ovary C. Tiny grains that contain sperm cells
Ovules D. The male part of the flower
Petal E. The part of the pistil between the stigma and the ovary
Pistil F. They grow from a pollen grain to an ovule
Pollen G. The female part of the flower
Pollen tube H. They contain the egg cells and develop into seeds
Sepal I. A part of the plant that attracts insects
Stamen J. A stalk that supports the anther
Stigma K. The sticky top of the pistil
Style L. The part of the pistil that contains the ovules
3. Make connections: How might having the anther atop a tall filament make it more likely that plants
will be pollinated?
Reproduction for educational use only. Public sharing or posting prohibited. © 2020 ExploreLearning™ All rights reserved
4. Think and discuss: In some plants, the pistils don’t form until a few days after the stamens do. How
might this keep a plant from self-pollinating?
Reproduction for educational use only. Public sharing or posting prohibited. © 2020 ExploreLearning™ All rights reserved
