Plant stem anatomy can be a challenge to teach and learn.  To make it relevant and more interesting the students created edible models of the plants vascular system.  The students used ingredients and food items that helped them understand the structure and function of the vascular system.  Once they constructed their model they labeled the parts and explained the function of each part.  The Botany Coloring book is used to provide the detailed diagrams and in depth explanation of the vascular system first and then the students create their edible model.  

This lesson contains background about the blood vascular system and the heart. Also, the different sizes of capillaries, veins, and arteries, and how they affect blood flow through the system. We will then proceed to talk about the heart's function in the blood vascular system. This will lead into a discussion of heart valves, how they work and what might cause them to fail. Then we will discuss prosthetic heart valves.