Plant2pollinator - support materials

Plant2pollinator support materials consists of keys, observation matrices, plant biology facts, and teaching ideas for field studies.

General flower anatomy
A basic diagram illustrating male and female parts of a flower.

What plants and insects are in our garden?
A matrix for recording data on flowers, fruit, seeds and insects.

Plant life cycle and processes
A simple diagram illustrating the life cycle of plants and including processes that rely on insects, e.g. predation, dispersal, pollination.

How to make a bee pollinator
Straightforward instructions on how to make a model insect and flower representing all parts necessary for pollination: nectar, pollen, stamen, anthers. Guiding questions included for follow-up with students, Stages 2-4

Suggestions for structuring field observations
Point by point instructions for teachers to follow to get the most out of a field study.

Modelling scientific investigations
Instructions for teachers to guide students through a rigorous scientific investigation.

Insect pollinator identification key
This dichotomous key can be used for Stage 2, 3 and 4 students to assist in identification of the insects which commonly pollinate plants, e.g. bee, butterfly, beefly, hoverfly, moth, wasp, beetle, thrip, grasshopper, tree cricket.

Flowers and insects observation matrix
The flowers and insects matrix is a template to:

• guide observation of flower colour, size, shape and scent;
• guide observation of insect behaviour; and
• record data during a field study.

Pollinator preference key
This key can be used to find out which insects prefer to visit particular flowers. Suitable for students in Stages1, 2, 3 and 4. All insects which visit flowers are potential pollinators (pollen carriers), however some insects have a preference for shapes and colours. It is probably these preferred flowers that they most efficiently pollinate.

Calendar - Flowering times for natives plants and insect activity
This calendar is a guide to the flowering times of common native plants and insects found in the Sydney region. The calendar is a guide only and adjustments need to be made. Native plants don't tend to flower to a strict timetable, similarly, insect activity will vary. The calendar refers to more accurate guides.

Insect cut-outs
Printable insect cut-outs for stage1 part 2. Print, cut out and deliver to the matching flower.

Plant2pollinator presentation
This powerpoint presentation is a brief summary of aspects of insect pollination that are covered in the Plant2pollinator units for schools.

Plant2pollinator Field Investigation
This field activity has been designed to supplement Plant2pollinator. It has been written for stages 2-4 and can be used in native gardens, vegetable gardens or exotic gardens.