Plants Flowers / Explorer (Photosynthesis)

Photosynthesis
Materials

• two planting containers
• seeds (lima beans, peas, broad beans...)
• soil
• a dark area and a bright area
• a glass bottle or jar

Method

1. Give the seeds a little head start by soaking them in water overnight.
2. With the class, plant a few seeds in each container.
3. Place one container in a dark place and the other in a bright place.
4. Ask children to predict and record (drawing and/or writing) what they believe will happen to the seeds above and below the soil.
5. Keep the seeds in their places for a little over a week, watering them when the soil gets dry.
6. After this time, remove the seed from the dark place and compare it to the one placed in the bright place. Ask children to record what they see. Were their predictions correct?
7. Separate one seedling away from each container compare the root systems. Ask children to record what they see. Were their predictions correct?
8. Have a class discussion on reasons the difference happened. Explain photosynthesis (Simple definition: plants using light to make food for itself).
9. Place the rest of the unhealthy seedlings in the bright place, record any changes.
10. Place the healthy seedlings in bright place with a clear bottle or jar on top of them.