Plant Biology Projects, Lessons, Activities (Page 8)

Plant Cycles: Photosynthesis & Transpiration

Lesson Plan Grade: 3rd-5th

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What do plants need? Students examine the effects of light and air on green plants, learning the processes of photosynthesis and transpiration. Student teams plant seeds, placing some in sunlight and others in darkness. They make predictions about the outcomes and record ongoing observations of the condition of the stems, leaves and roots. Then, several healthy plants are placed in glass jars with lids overnight. Condensation forms, illustrating the process of… Read more

NGSS Performance Expectations:

5-LS1-1. Support an argument that plants get the materials they need for growth chiefly from air and water.

Plant Seed Design Challenge

Lesson Plan Grade: 6th-8th

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In this small group activity, students will build a plant seed (burr) from a Styrofoam® ball and other crafts materials. The seed needs to be designed in a way that it can be dispersed by attaching to a mockup animal (wool glove). Students will first test if their seed attaches to the wool glove and then carry their attached seed along an obstacle course inside the classroom. As students design their plant seed and mimic its dispersal via an animal, they will realize how some plants grow… Read more

NGSS Performance Expectations:

MS-LS1-4. Use argument based on empirical evidence and scientific reasoning to support an explanation for how characteristic animal behaviors and specialized plant structures affect the probability of successful reproduction of animals and plants respectively.
MS-ETS1-2. Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

Shoots: How do Mint Plants Branch to Form New Stems?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Do you like to climb trees? The branches of trees are what make them so fun to climb. Each branch starts out as a tiny shoot that grows out from a stem. How is the growth of shoots along a stem regulated? Read more

The Role of Interdependence for Pollination and Seed Dispersal

Lesson Plan Grade: 2nd

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Pollination and seed dispersal are both crucial processes in a plant's reproduction cycle. These processes are helped along by many factors, including different animals. For instance, some animals disperse the plant seeds, while others transfer pollen from one flower to another. In this lesson plan, students will investigate the interdependence between plants and animals for pollination and seed dispersal by creating interdependence webs out of yarn. Based on their created interdependence webs,… Read more

NGSS Performance Expectations:

2-LS2-2. Develop a simple model that mimics the function of an animal in dispersing seeds or pollinating plants.

Unlocking the Secrets of the Pinecone

STEM Activity

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Depending on where you live, this time of year the ground might be covered in snow, ice, and most importantly – pinecones! We see pinecones everywhere during the winter, in wreaths, on trees, and in our yards, but did you know that pinecones have a vital job – they keep pine tree seeds safe, and protect them from the freezing temperatures during the winter! To protect their precious seeds, pinecones can close their ‘scales’ tightly, keeping out cold temperatures, winds,… Read more

What is the Rate of Leaf Growth Along the Stem?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Leaves grow in a different pattern than stems and shoots. They do not elongate along one axis, but instead spread out over time. Do all regions of the leaf grow equally? You can use markings on different regions of a growing leaf to see if the whole surface grows, or if growth is focused in a particular region, like the veins or edges of the leaf. If you look along a leafy stem, you may notice that leaves at different positions along the stem are different sizes. You can do an experiment to… Read more

Sci-Fi Science: Attack of the Killer Cabbage Clones

STEM Activity

Around St. Patrick’s Day the color green seems to be everywhere, from hats to shamrocks and much more in between. For this St. Patrick’s Day, you could show off your own green creation… by cloning a plant! Many Sci-Fi tales of cloned organisms have been based upon the scientific method for cloning animals or plants. In the real world, the cloning of plants is a common method used in modern agriculture. How do you clone a plant? In this activity,… Read more

Plant Biology Projects, Lessons, Activities (77 results)

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