Acorn Squash, Pumpkin Seeds and Sunflower Sprouts

We had an acorn squash donated to our Science Table in September.  It was a deep green color and stayed that color for a long time.  Gradually, it has begun to change color until it is almost all orange now.

This is the Acorn Squash in September

This is the Acorn Squash now.

After scooping out the pulp and seeds from our Halloween pumpkins, we planted a few seeds in some soil.  Then we waited and waited and WAITED!

But nothing sprouted.  I was beginning to think nothing would happen.  Then, today one of the students noticed that something was growing!

If you look very closely, you may notice part of the seed's shell is still attached to the sprout....and it's not a pumpkin seed shell.  It's a SUNFLOWER seed shell!  Now how do you think that happened?

(Our Science table had sunflower heads with the seeds still intact.  Could someone have planted a sunflower seed when I wasn't looking?  I wonder.)

The children were anxious to water the sprout when they saw it.  It will get lots of attention, now.  We will be watching closely.