Ferns – question bank

An inquiry approach is a method often used in science education. The question bank provides an initial list of questions about ferns and places where their answers can be found.

The article Ferns – introduction has links to further resources and student activities.

Q. What makes ferns unique among plants?

• What is a fern?

• Fern life cycle

• Fern reproduction

Q. Where did our ferns originate?

• Investigating our fern flora origins

• Molecular analysis of ferns

• Using DNA analyses for classification

Q. What is the value in collecting ferns?

• Documenting New Zealand’s Ferns

• Plant collections in museums

• Classifying and identifying ferns

• The value of early collections

Q. Can I eat a fern?

• Using ferns to survive

• Ferns in New Zealand – timeline

Q. What is a wild hen and chickens fern?

• A tale of two ferns

• Two hen and chickens ferns

• New Zealand native ferns

Q. What is a spore?

• What is a fern?

• Fern propagation

• DIY fern classification

• Fern life cycle

Q. Why would you want to be a botanist?

• My interest in ferns

• The role of a botany curator

• Botany and botanists

Q. What might a 21st century herbarium look like?

• Alternative fern collections

• Documenting our fern flora

Q. How did the silver fern become our national symbol?

• Ferns in New Zealand – timeline

Q. Are museums more than just big buildings?

• Plant collections in museums

• Documenting our fern flora

• The value of early collections