We decided to do this experiment to find the answer to our question: Can a seed grow without soil? This question came up during our study of where plants grow. We talked about plants that grow in water, sand, on rocks, and even in snow.
The first step was to make predictions. Each child voted whether they thought it would grow with no soil. Then we put a pinto bean in a ziplock bag wrapped in a wet paper towel and taped it to the window (April 17). We checked it every few days to see if it was growing.
Our bean on April 20.
Here is what we wrote in our science journal.
Our bean on April 24.
Here is what we wrote in our science journal.
Our bean on April 26.
Our bean on April 27.
Our bean on April 30.
We kind of got busy with another project and didn't have a chance to write in the science journal as much after the first 2 times, but here is the documentation board I made using the photos, children's drawings and our predictions from the first day.
Our conclusion: Yes, seeds can grow with no soil!
5/15 UPDATE: Thanks to the suggestion of one reader, I decided to talk to the kids today about why the plant can grow with no soil for a while and why it will need to be planted in soil to continue to grow after it uses all the nutrients from the seed. It went very well and the children seemed to understand. If it wasn't the last week of the school year, I would continue this experiment by planting one of the bean plants in soil and keep the other in the wet paper towel and have the students continue to observe. Oh well, there is always next year.
What kinds of experiments have you been doing?
I loved the way you used photos to document the plant growth. Wonderful prediction chart, too. Looks like a great unit. Renee
ReplyDeleteThanks, it was fun and documentation is a great way to incorporate literacy into any project!
DeleteLori
The plant will die without soil if just left in water or paper towel. It used all minerals and nutrients from the seed. If you want to keep plant alive you have to add plant food to the water. I think you should tell your children about that, otherwise it very confusing to them to know that plants need soil, sun, water and oxygen to grow, but their bean plant grew without soil.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, Regina! I vaguely thought about that, but then wondered if that was too difficult a concept for the kids to understand, but you are right that it could confuse them by not mentioning that it will need soil or some type of nutrients to continue to grow. I will tell them Tues (our next day of school) and update my post with the outcome! Thanks so much for pointing this out :)
DeleteLori
The documentation board looks great, and the kids' drawings are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThanks, the kids in this class are so advanced for their age. I love their drawings as well!
DeleteLori
I agree with Eddie that the documentation board looks great! Fun experiment :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking with Look What We Did.
Hiya! Have you ever paid attention, have your writting skills improved recently?
ReplyDelete