We all know that understanding family history is important to understanding our place in the world. To help students learn to appreciate plants, this activity will connect family memories to specific plants that were important to them or to their ancestors. This is referred to as “botanical history.” Students will interview family members to identify a specific plant they will use for the remaining nine modules. The plant the students choose is ideally one that holds historical significance to their family (e.g., an apple tree that has provided fruits for many generations, or a houseplant that has been divided or shared on special occasions). The students will then share their stories with the class and compare the plants they have chosen with their classmates.

Evolution of caffeine pathway

Lab or class activities