Introduction to the Concept The goals of the third week are: To have a general knowledge of seeds and their importance to sustaining plant life. Understand the importance of seeds in the food chain. Understand the requirements needed for seen germination. Understand and appreciate the variety of forms found in seeds, and relate those forms to survivability. To introduce and be able to distinguish nonflowering plants that produced seed-like structures (mushrooms, ferns). The objectives for the third week are for the students to: Recognize and understand seed structure and the requirements needed for seed growth. Describe the environmental factors necessary for successful germination of seed. Recognize the importance of seeds as they are used for food. There are five main concepts for this week: Seeds have the ability to remain viable over a long period of time, thus allowing them to germinate and grow only when proper conditions present themselves. Some seeds have special structures that enable them to move from one place to another, thus assuring distribution. Seeds have different shapes, sizes, colors, and patterns. Seeds have special requirements that must be met to achieve germination. Seeds are composed of specific parts.