for segue forms (.pdf) click below

Objectives

• Demonstrate some of the basic aspects of plant anatomy particularly as they relate to studies of traditional societies.

• Illustrate broad applications of plant anatomy

• Develop avenues for students to continue to learn about plant anatomy that lead directly out of the segue experience.

Learning Structure

• Class-room/Laboratory discussion groups (students will have already watched assigned video presentations)

  • In class students will closely observe fibers and other plant anatomical features using a flashlight, a handheld magnifying glass, and some black construction paper.  The purpose of this activity is to demonstrate how common household items can be used to perform observations normally obtained by sophisticated lab equipment, like microscopes.
    　

• Community observations

  • Following the class activity students will be assigned to think about other methods they can perform at home to observe anatomical features of plants.
    　

• Web-based delivery of information to students:

  • Provide a brief overview of some of the most interesting areas of plant anatomy.

  • Direct students to practitioners of plant anatomy within the University and in the community at-large.

  • Show students specific courses or other educational opportunities that can be used to further explore interests in plant anatomy.

Learning Outcomes

(1 = Most Desired Outcome, 3 = A Desirable Outcome, 5 = Least Desired Outcome)

1. Students seek more information about studies in plant anatomy, register to take a course in plant anatomy, and become a degree seeking major in plant anatomy.

2. Students seek more information about studies in plant anatomy and register to take a course in plant anatomy as part of an effort to broaden their education.

3. Students develop a sufficient (but minimal) understanding of plant anatomy to be able to make decisions about their own career (and inclusion or not of this science). These students are probably better citizens/voters.

4. Students do not learn anything about plant anatomy.

5. Students develop a negative perspective about plant anatomy because of the information received through this project.

Ethnobotany Segue Experience

• In class students will excise fiber samples from three different plants and closely observe the fibers using a flashlight, some black construction paper, and a handheld magnifying glass.  Their observations can be then compared to fiber samples on dissecting microscopes and photographs depicting the fibers and other anatomical features.
  　
• As a follow-up to this activity, students will be asked to think about other methods they can easily perform to observe plant anatomical features while at home, at their dorm, etc. 

Other Science

• Plant anatomy or phytotomy is the general term for the study of the structure of plants. However, the description of the external structure plants is often called plant morphology, hence the term plant anatomy is sometimes reserved for the internal structure of plants. Plant morphology is generally used in the field identification of plants. Plant anatomy is now frequently investigated at the cellular level.
  　
• Science technology
• Forensics
• Archaeology
• Environmental reconstruction
• Cultural reconstruction
• Prehistoric Climatology

Other Science Practitioners

• These people are happy to speak with students about plant anatomy:
  　
  • Professor David T. Webb
    University of Hawaii at Manoa,
    3190 Maile Way, Honolulu, HI 96789-2279
    Office: St. John 412A - Phone (808) 956-8028
    email: dave@hawaii.edu
    　
  • Gail Murakami
    Wood Identification Laboratory
    2081 Young Street
    Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96826-2231
    Telephone: (808) 946-2548 ext. 103
    email: woodid@iarii.org

Other Science Courses 

• Students interested in studying plant anatomy may want to take Botany 201 Plant Evolutionary Diversity.

Resources

• For additional career information, students may want to view the occupational outlook for potential careers in plant anatomy at the U.S. Department of Labor:
  　

  • Agriculture and Food Scientists

  • Biological Scientists

  • Chemists and Materials Scientists

  • Engineering and Natural Science Managers

  • Environmental Scientists and Hydrologists

  • Scientific Research and Development Services

  • Science Technicians
    　

• Here are some websites containing information on plant anatomy and cord making:
  　

  • Making Cordage

  • Plants used to produce Hawaiian capes and cords
  • Microscope Tutorial
  • Plant Anatomy for Ethnobotanists
  • Plant Anatomy at Bishop Museum