Project Description

We are interested in comparing and contrasting plant growth data with other classrooms in environments different from ours. Students will germinate seeds (lima beans, peas, and/or corn) in the classroom and observe and record the growth over an eight-week period. They will enter data on recording sheets and graph the plant's growth. Students will also keep a journal of their observations. Classes will share the data with other classes on the project website and optionally through e-mail communication with another participating class.

The project will run during the 2005 - 06 school year. You may plant your seeds at any time and send information as you complete the project. Please communicate with the other classes in the project!

Classes may want to create different growing environment to observe differences under varying conditions. For example, put some seeds near the window and others in a dark part of the classroom. Plant some seeds in a cup, put the cup in a zip lock bag, water it once and observe the greenhouse effect.

Participating classrooms may choose to have individual students grow their own plants or do their plantings as a group, but each class must have one model that will be used for data collection.

Classes will photograph their plants four times during the eight-week period (every two weeks) and e-mail these photos to their partner classroom.

Growing Tips/Options:
1. Soak seeds in water overnight
2. Provide each student (or group of students) with seeds, soil and plastic cups
3. For best viewing of roots, grow some seeds in a zip lock bag and then transplant to a cup once roots are formed.

Activity 1
Plant the seeds

Activity 2
Observe and record information - Suggestions:

• Size, color and shape of leaves
• Length of stem
• Root observations (if you plant a seed in a zip lock bag)

Activity Three
Summarize your class findings and send to the project coordinator, Linda Brandon (lbrandon@lakelandschools.org) with the digital photos or drawings. Optional extension activities are provided on the project website. Classes may submit these if desired.