This is a photo of the Wisconsin Fast Plant flower on the 14th day of its incredible life cycle. At this stage, something miraculous happens—pollination. The plant cannot produce seeds without pollination, and the life cycle stops. As a scientist in training, your mission is to take on the role of a bumblebee and hand-pollinate the flower. This simple but powerful act connects you to the awe and wonder of how life continues.
As you pollinate, you’ll witness firsthand how the formation of life unfolds. It’s almost like solving a mystery! How does a tiny seed hold the power to grow into a plant, bloom, and then create more seeds? When you think about it, this process mirrors our own lives. Inside every living thing—plants, animals, and even you—is DNA, a unique code that guides how life grows and thrives. Astonishingly, the DNA in plants and humans is built from the same essential molecules!
Through this experience, you’ll marvel at the beauty and complexity of life. Imagine: from a seed more petite than your fingernail, a plant emerges, flowers, and reproduces, continuing its journey. It’s like nature’s way of reminding us of the endless possibilities in life and the connections we all share. So, grab your bee brush, step into the role of a pollinator, and discover the magic of the Wisconsin Fast Plant!
Watch this video on how to make a bee stick so you can take the role of a bee in the plant life cycle!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7sQC0_uyOA