Conifers are types of trees that produce pine cones for reproductive purposes. When a pine cone matures, it releases the seeds located inside the cone. Birds and squirrels sometimes eat the seeds located inside the cone. Take a trip outside and collect a few for exploring.
BASIC MATERIALS:
Pine cones, small bowls, water, paper towels, Sunbutter (or peanut butter if no allergies exist), bird seeds, string, spoon or butter knife. Optional: glue, glitter
EXPERIMENT #1: PINE CONES IN WATER
Collect several pine cones and make observations about its size and shape. Place half the pine cones in a bowl and fill with warm water. Check on the pine cones in 10, 20, 30 minutes.
What happened to the pine cones in the water?
You can extend this experiment by testing how water temperature affects the pine cone. Using three bowls, place one pine cone in each. Leave one bowl empty, place cold water in one, and warm water in the other. Check on the pine cones every ten minutes and observe what happens.
EXPERIMENT #2: PINE CONE BIRD FEEDER
The cool weather means birds and other living things are looking for all the food they can find. You can make them a feeder made from a pine cone. First, spread the Sunbutter or peanut butter all over the pine cone. Place some bird seed in a bowl and roll the pine cone around the seeds, fully covering it. Place in the freezer for 15 minutes to set. Remove from freezer and tie a string around the large end of the pine cone. You can hang your pine cone bird feeder on a tree near your home and observe what comes by to eat.
Pine cones, small bowls, water, paper towels, Sunbutter (or peanut butter if no allergies exist), bird seeds, string, spoon or butter knife. Optional: glue, glitter
EXPERIMENT #1: PINE CONES IN WATER
Collect several pine cones and make observations about its size and shape. Place half the pine cones in a bowl and fill with warm water. Check on the pine cones in 10, 20, 30 minutes.
What happened to the pine cones in the water?
You can extend this experiment by testing how water temperature affects the pine cone. Using three bowls, place one pine cone in each. Leave one bowl empty, place cold water in one, and warm water in the other. Check on the pine cones every ten minutes and observe what happens.
EXPERIMENT #2: PINE CONE BIRD FEEDER
The cool weather means birds and other living things are looking for all the food they can find. You can make them a feeder made from a pine cone. First, spread the Sunbutter or peanut butter all over the pine cone. Place some bird seed in a bowl and roll the pine cone around the seeds, fully covering it. Place in the freezer for 15 minutes to set. Remove from freezer and tie a string around the large end of the pine cone. You can hang your pine cone bird feeder on a tree near your home and observe what comes by to eat.
 | DID YOU KNOW? Sixty million years ago, pine cones were a favorite meal of Parasaurolophus. Often referred to as duckbill dinosaurs, they had uniquely formed jaws and thousands of rows of teeth perfectly adapted to eat tough, chewy pine cones. |
