Illustrative Mathematics
Growing Bean Plants (Grade 2)
After planting a bean seed in a jar, young scientists observe the growth patterns over several days. As the bean becomes a sprout, and the sprout becomes a plant, partners measure and plot the data. They notice patterns, practice...
Serendip
Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration
How does energy from the sun make plants grow? Scholars move step by step through the processes that promote plant propagation during a detailed lesson. The resource illustrates ADP production and hydrolysis, then allows learners to...
Teach Engineering
Grow Your Own Algae!
Develop a model of a wastewater treatment center. The last activity of the unit has pupils mix a lake water sample into a tank of water containing fertilizers. Over time, the algae from the lake water grows and removes the nutrient-rich...
New South Wales Department of Education
History of Plant Classification
Bamboo, the fastest growing plant in the world, can grow up to 35 inches in one day! Pupils learn how plants historically have been classified and determine if these traits are appropriate to use in this 17th lesson of 20. They will also...
Teach Engineering
Corn for Fuel?!
Can corn power the world? Young scientists learn about how corn and other plants can provide renewable biofuels in the second of nine lessons. They set up an experiment to investigate how different variables affect plant growth. All of...
Exploring Nature Educational Resources
Building A Classroom Food Web
From bears and owls to chipmunks and trees, all life depends on the sun for the energy to survive. Young biologists develop an understanding of this big idea as they arrange this series of plant and animal picture cards into food...
Cornell University
Sun or Water? or Both?
Over the course of 10 days, young scientists observe their cups of seed and soil—one that gets sun and water and one that gets no sun and only water. Then they reflect on the results of the experiment to determine if their hypothesis was...
Curated OER
Comparing Seeds
Students explore the process of growing plants from seeds. In this hands-on science experiment, students observe different seeds (store bought vs. those directly from food items) and predict growing patterns.
Curated OER
Sock Walk (Seed Dispersal)
Students collect seeds from field plants as part of understanding seed dispersal.
Organic Farming
Four Seasons
Celebrate the changing of the seasons with this collection of arts and crafts activities.
Curated OER
Special Seeds
Students create their own garden. In this gardening lesson, students get a packet of seeds and plant them in a special part of the garden. They are responsible for watering, weeding, and caring for their plants.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Home Sweet Biome: How Do Plants Grow in Different Environments?
In this science fair project you will learn about biomes and how different climatic conditions affect plant growth. This can explain why some plants and animals are similar in different areas of the country, and in other parts they are not.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: How Does Soil Affect the P H of Water?
Did you know that soils can be alkaline, neutral, or acidic? Most plants grow best in soil near neutral pH, but some plants prefer slightly acidic and others slightly alkaline soil. What is the pH of the soil in your garden? What happens...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Shoots: How Do Mint Plants Branch to Form New Stems?
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?
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: How Do Roots Grow When the Direction of Gravity Changes?
You might not know it, but plants are able to sense their environment and actually respond appropriately. One of the key parameters that every plant must respond to is the direction of gravity: stems go up (opposite to the pull of...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Radiant Radish Seeds
We all know that plants need sunlight and water to grow big and tall. But did you know that inside seeds are baby plants, and that the fragile baby plant inside the seed needs to be protected? If you've ever had a sunburn, you also know...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Vines & Spines: Thigmotropism in Morning Glory Tendrils
We tend to think of plants as immobile, but the tendrils of a vine, such as the morning glory, actually move in response to touch. Tendrils wrap around structures, which give the plant something to grow on. In this science fair project,...
Other
National Junior Horticulture Association: Experiments & Fun Activities
A collection of planting activities, including how to make a terrarium and how to grow potatoes.
![Maryland Science Center: Cd Greenhouse [Pdf] Activity](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Maryland Science Center: Cd Greenhouse [Pdf] Activity")
Maryland Science Center
Maryland Science Center: Cd Greenhouse [Pdf]
This activity explains how to germinate a seed inside a CD case so that its growth is visible. The transparency of the case makes it simple to track its growth using a marker.
Museum of Science
Museum of Science and Industry: Online Science: Activities: Habitat Overcrowding
An experiment where several containers are set up with different numbers of seeds planted in each. The objective is to investigate how seed density affects the health of the plants that grow.
Read Works
Read Works: Pumpkins Are Popping Up Everywhere!
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text showing how pumpkins grow. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: Earthworms Do Good Work
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about earthworms and how they help the soil. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
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.
Read Works
Read Works: Pumpkin Time!
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about how a seed grows into a pumpkin. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.