Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

My son will be entering the 2nd grade in August. He wants to do his science fair project this summer. He wants to see if corn will grow better the modern way or the way the Native Americans first did. Any suggestions? We have completed some research and found that Native American used fish for fertilizer.

Hi,

Your son’s idea sounds like a wonderful, fun science project. Here is a website on growing corn in the classroom that has lots of interesting ideas:

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-15 ... --,00.html

http://www.easyfunschool.com/ThemeFunCorn.html

Here is a website discussing a Native American garden system:

http://www.kidsgardening.com/themes/culture4.asp

http://www.reneesgarden.com/articles/3sisters.html

http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/ ... arden.html

http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/teac ... 14436.html

The more I looked into this the more fun it sounds like it will be. This project could become an interesting idea for the whole family. I particularly like the idea of a three sisters garden ( and may try it myself this year).

Please support your son’s idea. I wish you every success in it. You may also want to read the Science Buddies Project Guide:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... l?From=Tab

Best wishes for a successful summer garden!


Barrett L. Tomlinson

Just to add to what Barrett has already told you, I, too, think that this is a great idea! But, I suggest you prod your first-grader to think about what he means by 'grow best'. Does he mean that the corn plants grow at a high rate? Or have a higher percentage of seeds germinate? Or does he mean that the plants will produce more ears of corn in the end? One of these is not better than another, and you should feel free to measure several different variables, but it is worth thinking about exactly what you will measure before you start.

Good luck--it sounds like a lot of fun!

Thank you guys so much. You are so helpful! Also Just to let you know, you helped us with our last project (Marines) and he recieved an honorable mention. He was so proud! Thank you again for all your help!!