Appropriate Age Level
3+ for the actual experiment
5+ for concepts
Materials Needed
Dirt
Planting pot(s) or plastic cups
Tomato seeds
Water
Time
Camera to take growth pictures with
Materials Needed
Dirt
Planting pot(s) or plastic cups
Tomato seeds
Water
Time
Camera to take growth pictures with
Science Concepts Learned
Germination (1) - (see picture below) the process
where a seed grows to become a seedling. For a seed to do this it needs water,
oxygen and to be at certain temperature.
1.The root emerges through the seed.
3.The hypocotyl straightens itself out.
4.Leaves begin to form.
Photosynthesis - (see photo
below) the process where plants convert energy from light from the sun into
chemical energy that can be used by the plant.
The reaction is the following (3):
light
carbon dioxide + water ------->
sugar + oxygen
Activity/Experiment
1. Set out cups or pots and fill the pots with dirt (a starter mix for plants is recommended) as many as you want though think about seed crowding.
2. Plant tomato seeds 1/4 inch deep in the dirt (2).
3. Water the seed/dirt mixture to make it soggy but not swampy.
4. In 5 to 10 days germination should occur. Take a picture of the potted seeds each day in this range and discuss the germination steps listed above in the terms section.
5. After germination has occurred, weekly take pictures of the plants.
6. After a few weeks compare the size of the plants with the pictures taken and from them you can talk about photosynthesis and how the light and water has helped the plant to grow.
7. Continue growing the plants, and you can either transfer them to larger pots and keep them inside or you can transfer them outside if it is the right time of year.
8. Enjoy the fruit you get from this practical example of science!
1. Set out cups or pots and fill the pots with dirt (a starter mix for plants is recommended) as many as you want though think about seed crowding.
2. Plant tomato seeds 1/4 inch deep in the dirt (2).
3. Water the seed/dirt mixture to make it soggy but not swampy.
4. In 5 to 10 days germination should occur. Take a picture of the potted seeds each day in this range and discuss the germination steps listed above in the terms section.
5. After germination has occurred, weekly take pictures of the plants.
6. After a few weeks compare the size of the plants with the pictures taken and from them you can talk about photosynthesis and how the light and water has helped the plant to grow.
7. Continue growing the plants, and you can either transfer them to larger pots and keep them inside or you can transfer them outside if it is the right time of year.
8. Enjoy the fruit you get from this practical example of science!
Time
Allotted
5-10 minutes weekly
References:
1.
http://www.cactus-art.biz/note-book/Dictionary/Dictionary_G/dictionary_germination.htm
2. http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/4DMG/VegFruit/tomatind.htm
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photosynthesis
2. http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/4DMG/VegFruit/tomatind.htm
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photosynthesis
