Growth Competition

This STEM activity is suitable for preschool and elementary school levels. Many children today misunderstand or misinterpret the soil-plant relationship. The primary goal of this activity is to increase children's awareness of this topic. Before the activity, the following story should be read with the children to draw their attention. Then, ask them, "What do you think Tako and Ruka will do?" to gather their ideas before starting the activity.

Objective of the Activity:

leaf Direct children's interest towards nature

leaf Contribute to children's awareness of "Nature" and "Environment"

leaf Increase children's sensitivity towards living and non-living entities in their environment

leaf Help children understand the importance of sunlight and its energy for our world

leaf Provide children with knowledge about plants and their growth

leaf Instill in children a sense of advocacy for the right to life and conservation of living beings

Once Upon a Time

After their previous plant experiment (here), Tako and Ruka helped many different seeds sprout into seedlings. They had numerous seedling cups at home. Well, you know, for these seedlings to grow into big plants, they needed to be planted in soil.

After getting permission from Tako's mom, they filled all the seedlings into a box and went down to the small garden behind their house with Ruka. It might have been a small garden, but the soil was fertile. In one corner of the garden, there was a giant plane tree with huge leaves. Tako and Ruka sometimes sat under this tree to play games and read books. Ruka didn't know how to read yet, but Tako read the books aloud so Ruka could listen!

Tako inspected the garden to find a good spot for the plants because he knew that plants, like all living things, had certain needs. Tako thought he found a good spot and called out to Ruka.

Ruka, I think this is a great spot! Come, help me dig holes to plant the seedlings.

Why are we planting them there? I don't like that spot. Let's plant them under the plane tree. They can be with us while we play or read!

That place isn't very suitable for plants, Ruka. The plane tree is too big; the seedlings won't get enough sunlight.

But won't the seedlings sweat in the sun? Poor seedlings!

Oh, my bewildered friend. Sunlight is very beneficial for seedlings. If they get sunlight, plants grow more and stronger.

I didn't know that, Tako. Are you sure?

Yes, I'm very sure. Come on, let's plant the seedlings and then we can conduct an experiment about it. You'll understand then!

Okay, okay. I like doing experiments with you and learning about the world! Where do you want the holes? Is this spot good?

Tako and Ruka carefully planted all the seedlings in the soil and gave them their first watering. They recycled the plastic cups used for the seedlings into the recycling bin and returned home. Tako quickly put on his lab coat. They gathered the remaining materials and started their experiment. Let's do the same experiment with them. Shall we?

Materials

Plastic Cup Plant Seeds Water Marker Pen Paper Towel

Activity

Step I

Tear a few pieces of paper towel and crumple them into balls. Place these balls into 3 cups. In this step, we won't wet the paper towels immediately. We will explain this in the following steps. Now, label one cup with normal using a marker pen, the second one with dark, and the third one with dry. Make sure to use the same type of seeds for this activity. For example, if you're using chickpeas, all three cups should have chickpeas.

Step II

In the second step, gently place the seeds between the cup and the paper towel so that they are visible from the outside of the cup and won't move easily. Use the same type of seeds in all cups, either only chickpeas or only beans, because different seeds have different growth times. Now it's time to wet the paper towels. We need to moisten the cups labeled normal and dark just enough. Be careful not to pour too much water; there shouldn't be water at the bottom of the cup.

Step III

Now we have three cups with seeds inside, right? Please place the cups labeled dry and normal in a place where they can receive sunlight. The cup labeled dark should be placed where it won't receive sunlight, like in a kitchen cabinet (not the refrigerator). You need to water the cups labeled normal and dry once a day with just enough moisture. Remember, cups labeled normal and dry need sunlight!

Step IV

Finally, for 5 days, water the cups labeled normal and the cup labeled dark in the kitchen cabinet once a day. Remember, just moisten the paper towels. Cups labeled normal and dry need sunlight! At the end of the 5th day, place the three cups side by side and observe. In which cup do you see seedlings? In which cup do you not see seedlings? Which cup has the tallest seedling? What could be the reason?

What's Happening?

All seeds need water and sunlight to germinate. Placing seeds in a dark environment and watering them forces them to search for light and sprout. Therefore, seeds placed in darkness will sprout, but for healthy and proper growth, sprouted seeds need light and water. Seedlings with access to light and water grow quickly and healthily. Seedlings unable to reach light will eventually wither, even if they manage to sprout leaves initially.

Attention!

This activity typically takes about 1 or 2 weeks to complete.

To shorten the duration of the activity, use seeds that germinate quickly, such as beans, lentils, or chickpeas. Seeds like peppers or tomatoes may take up to 10 days to germinate.

Any materials used in the activity that become waste should be disposed of in a recycling bin to be recycled, and children should be encouraged to understand and participate in recycling.

Assessment Questions

leaf Which seeds did we plant?

leaf What similarities and differences were there among the seeds?

leaf What happened before and after the germination process of the seeds?

leaf What did we do to facilitate seed germination?

leaf Which seeds germinated first?

leaf Which seed did not germinate?

leaf What did you feel as the seeds were germinating?

leaf Have you grown plants before?

leaf What should we pay attention to when growing plants?

leaf Do you think plants have a right to life?

Activity File

Scientific Concepts

Scientific concepts related to this activity include: Seed, Root, Leaf, Photosynthesis, and Seedling. You can explore interesting facts by researching these concepts!