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Planning pathways using pollination resources

This interactive groups Hub resources into key science and technology concepts. The article Pollination resources provides pedagogical advice and links to the New Zealand Curriculum.

This interactive diagram provides a selection of pathways that allow for differing approaches and starting points using our pollination resources. The aim is to assist educators with their planning of lessons and units of work by providing options that cover multiple science concepts. Click on the labels for links to supporting articles, media and student activities.

Download a PDF file of the transcript here.

Transcript

Pollination basics

Pollination is the process that transfers pollen from the male part of a flower to the female part.

Related articles

  • Pollination – introduction

  • Pollination and fertilisation

  • Pollination question bank

  • Investigating pollination – writer insight

Related activities

  • Investigating pollen processing using evidence

  • Pollination – three-level reading guide

Video acknowledgement: University of Waikato

Avocado pollination

Avocados have an unusual system of flowering to prevent self-pollination. This can make things difficult for growers.

Related article

  • Avocado pollination

Related media

  • Avocado research – video

Image acknowledgement: University of Waikato

Kiwifruit pollination

Kiwifruit flowers are insect pollinated, but they are a bit unusual. They don’t have nectar to attract insects, and they produce ‘fake’ pollen.

Related articles

  • Kiwifruit pollination problems

  • Robots for horticulture

  • Combating kiwifruit Psa

Related media

  • Artificial pollination – video

  • RoboBee – video

  • Processing pollen – interactive

Related activities

  • Investigating pollen processing using evidence

  • Pollination – three-level reading guide

Image acknowledgement: University of Waikato

Flowers and pollination

All flower parts play a role in reproduction.

Related articles

  • Flower parts

  • Flowering plants

  • Flowering plant life cycles

Related activities

  • Plant parts

  • Let’s look at flowers

  • Pass the pollen

  • Pollinator counts – insects and flowers

  • Yellow pan traps – monitoring flying insects

  • Pitfall traps – monitoring ground-dwelling insects

Image acknowledgement: University of Waikato

Attracting pollinators

Flowers have many ways to help animals or the wind to pollinate them.

Related article

  • Attracting pollinators

Related activities

  • Pass the pollen

  • Pollination pairs

Image acknowledgement: Neville Gardner

Bees and pollination

Honey bees are the most important pollinators of many cultivated food crops and other flowering plants.

Related articles

  • Honey bee heroes

  • Bumble bees and pollination

  • Bees – fun facts

  • The Buzz of Bees – Connected article

Related media

  • Working with bees – video

  • Avocado research – video

Image acknowledgement: University of Waikato

Native birds as pollinators

Birds are important pollinators of many native plants. Contrary to previous beliefs, if birds are not available to pollinate certain native flowers, insects cannot fill the role.

Related articles

  • Attracting pollinators

  • Mistletoes and mutualism

  • Decline of birds and pollination

  • New Zealand bird pollination studies – timeline

Related activity

  • Pollination pairs

Image acknowledgement: Neville Gardner

Pollination experts

Find out who is working in the field of plant pollination.

Related articles

  • Dr Mark Goodwin

  • Professor Dave Kelly

  • Jenny Ladley

Related media

  • Artificial pollination – video

  • Mistletoe research – video

  • Mistletoe discoveries – video

Image acknowledgement: Eve Welch, University of Canterbury

NZC level 1 and 2 pollination resources

These resources offer an introduction to the science behind pollination.

Related articles:

  • Methods of pollination

  • Pollinating kiwifruit

  • Plant reproduction

  • The seed-flower life cycle

Related activities

  • Pollination role-plays

  • Common foods and plant parts

  • Matching seeds and fruits

Image acknowledgement: University of Waikato

Pollination and technology

Many kiwifruit growers use artificial pollination. Innovative technology includes robotics and sensors.

Related articles

  • Robots for horticulture

Related media

  • Artificial pollination – video

  • RoboBee – video

  • Processing pollen – interactive

Related activities

  • Investigating pollen processing using evidence

Image acknowledgement: University of Waikato

 

Glossary

Rights: The University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato
Published: 28 November 2017Updated: 22 October 2020
Referencing Hub media

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