Science Buddies
Science Buddies: It's Raining, It's Pouring: Chemical Analysis of Rainwater
Here is an interesting project that could be approached from several different scientific angles: Environmental Science, Weather & Atmosphere, Chemistry, or Plant Biology. You can probably think of your own variations to emphasize...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating What Living Things Need: Space
A lab experiment where students study what living things need to survive. Students will observe plant growth over several weeks.
BioEd Online
Bio Ed Online: Do Plants Need Light?
Plants need air, water, soil, and light to grow. Students learn about plant growth and development by conducting an experiment that demonstrates the importance of light to plants.
BioEd Online
Bio Ed Online: Plants in Space
Lesson focuses on the Plants in Space experiment which studied how plant roots developed in a weightless environment. Students will conduct three scientific investigations to learn how light, gravity and microgravity affect the growth of...
University of Maryland
Umbc/plant Growth and Development
A good description of the growth and changes in plants from the seed through the adult plant. College level discussion that includes the chemicals involved in the regulation of plant growth.
Other
Illinois State Museum: Prairie Ecosystems: Plant Adaptations
How are prairie plants able to survive fires? This site will explain how seed germination takes place after a prairie fire.
University of Hamburg
University of Hamburg: Phototropism
A high level discussion of the phototropic effect in plants. Discusses the basics, but quickly branches into a very high level discussion.
PBS
Pbs: Nova: Illuminating Photosynthesis
To understand the process of photosynthesis, follow the hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen atoms as they travel between the air, the plant, and the soil.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Episd: Plant Growth
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Check out the way plants grow and what meristem is and its role in growth.
E-learning for Kids
E Learning for Kids: Science: Vikings: How Do Plants Grow?
Olaf the viking is learning about the life cycle of plants. Help him tend to his garden as he learns.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Who Needs What?
The teacher leads a discussion in which young scholars identify the physical needs of animals, and then speculate on the needs of plants. With guidance from the teacher, the students then help design an experiment that can take place in...
Indiana University
Indiana University: Plants in Motion
Plants grow and change on a time scale that is too slow for us to observe in real time. Time-lapse photography is a simple technique that allows us to see the movements of plants and clearly demonstrates that plants are living and...
University of Illinois
University of Illinois Extension: The Great Plant Escape Parts of a Seed
Help Detective Le Plant discover how a seed grows into a plant. Students will learn to describe a seed's structure and what's needed for seed growth.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Trb 4:3 Investigation 5 What Is in Soil?
Activity helps with understanding the basic components of soil and relates the components to plant growth.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Trb 4:3 Investigation 7 Plants in Soil
Understand how the components of soil effect plant growth.
Utah Education Network
Uen: How Tall Are Plants?
First graders will measure height of plants and record the results.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Sun or Shade?
Use a thermometer to measure the air temperature in several places around the school.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Sprouting Scientists!
Observe and describe plants as they grow from seeds.
Utah Education Network
Uen: A Recipe for Soil
Make soil using local materials and compare plant growth in natural and student-made soil.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois Extension: The Great Plant Escape: Soiled Again
Help Detective Le Plant dig for clues in the soil to solve this case. You'll need to find out what soil is, why it is important, and in what kinds of soil plants grow.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Light Plants and Dark Plants, Wet Plants and Dry Ones
Students plant sunflower seeds in plastic cups, and once germinated, these are exposed to different conditions of light levels and/or soil moisture contents. During exposure of the plants to these different conditions, students measure...
Utah Education Network
Uen: Trb 3:5 Investigation 2 Green Apples
Classroom activities help students understand the effect of light on the growth of seeds and plants.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Field Challenge Strategy Game
Lesson plan describing a strategy game where students use flags in a large field to mimic the growth and spread of trees, grass, and shrubs. Rules for game include how trees, grass, and shrubs interact to compete for sunlight, nutrients,...