Free PDFGrade 3 · Science · 45 min
Pine cone in reverse
Watch a pine cone close in water and open again when dry.
I can explain how a pine cone reacts to water and why that helps the tree.
A science experiment video with a free worksheet and answer key for teachers
About the video
In the video a pine cone closes up in water and opens again when it dries. At home your child measures two dry pine cones, soaks cone A in hot tap water, and measures it again after 30 minutes, 1 hour and 1 day while cone B stays dry for comparison.
Each scale has two layers, and the outer layer swells much more than the inner layer when wet, so the scale bends inward and the cone closes. On dry, windy days the cone opens so winged seeds can fly far, and in rain it closes to keep them safe.
What your child learns
- Measure width in cm and record changes over time
- Use a dry cone as a control to compare results
- Explain how two layers make a scale bend
What's on the worksheet
- 1Predict first
- 2Measure the cones
- 3What did you see?
- 4The science behind it
- 5Match the words
- 6True or false
- 7Put it in order
- 8Cone maths
- 9Draw and label it
You need
2 open, dry pine cones about 8 cm long, 1 bowl with 500 ml hot tap water, 1 spoon, 1 kitchen towel, 1 ruler, a pencil and a timer.
Safety
An adult pours the hot water. Use hot tap water, not boiling water.
Tip for the adult
The activity is spread over one day, so set a phone alarm for the 30 minute, 1 hour and 24 hour measurements.
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