In this activity, students will explore the anatomy of a pumpkin though a dissection. Students will be measuring, preparing slides, staining cells, and using microscopes all while they explore the anatomy of a pumpkin.
NGSS Standards Covered
Standard Covered
- HS-LS1-2. Develop and use a model to illustrate the hierarchical organization of interacting systems that provide specific functions within multicellular organisms. (primary standard covered)
- HS-LS1-5. Use a model to illustrate how photosynthesis transforms light energy into stored chemical energy.
- HS-LS3-2. Make and defend a claim based on evidence that inheritable genetic variations may result from (1) new genetic combinations through meiosis, (2) viable errors occurring during replication, and/or (3) mutations caused by environmental factors.
Pumpkin Dissection
Students start this activity by taking some measurements of their pumpkin’s circumference and the blossom end. As students complete the dissection they learn about the anatomy and development of the pumpkin.
What Will Students Learn About Pumpkins in This Lab?
Throughout the lab students will learn about how pumpkin reproduce sexually. They will learn about the male and female gametes and how they combine to form a zygote. Students will also learn about how pumpkin start off green and eventually become orange due to the chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments. Students will also learn about the basic part of the pumpkin like the stem, blossom end, ribs, fibrous strand, seeds and more.
What Will Students See Under the Microscope?
During the dissection, when using the microscope students will be able to see a variety of cell parts. For example, students will be able to see the transport vessels in the stem (figure 1).
Students will also create several wet mounts to explore the pumpkin skin cells and fibrous strands and be able to see a variety of cell parts and tissues like the cell wall, starch, xylem tissue, guard cells, stomata and more.
Do Student Carve the Pumpkin in this Lab?
Whether or not you decide to let your students carve the pumpkin is up to you! The lab does not include instructions for carving however it does include some ideas if you do decide to let your student carve their pumpkins.
Ideas for Pumpkin Carving After the Dissection
If you decide that your student can safely carve the pumpkin after completing the dissection here are some tips.
- Be sure you have the appropriate tools. Carving a pumpkin can be challenging and even dangerous without the proper tools. I recommend a pumpkin dissection kit for each group if you are confident your students can safely complete the activity.
- Use the activity as a review. For example, have students carve cell organelles, a cell, or even their favorite macromolecule molecular structure!
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