2.6 Germination Research
This middle school agricultural literacy lesson (MS.AST.2.6, “Germination Research”) teaches students to apply research methods and the five steps of the scientific method to investigate an agricultural problem. Students observe seeds, form a hypothesis, and conduct a hands-on seed germination lab using cups, cotton balls, and seeds, then write a nursery rhyme reinforcing the scientific method steps. Includes a multiple-choice quiz and extension activities.
At a glance
- Learning objectives
-
- As a result of this unit the students will… Discuss agricultural research.
- As a result of this lesson the students will… Apply research methods to investigate an agricultural problem.
- Time required
- Instruction time for this lesson: 45 minutes
- Grade level
- Middle School
- Materials
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- Overhead projector/transparencies
- Clear plastic cups
- Cotton balls
- Pea seeds
- Bean seeds
- Radish seeds
- Corn seeds
- Water droppers
- Thermometers
- Various fluids
- Various lights (grow light, incandescent, fluorescent, halogen)
- MS.AST.2.6.TM.A – one per teacher
- MS.AST.2.6.TM.B – one per teacher
- MS.AST.2.6.TM.C – one per teacher
- MS.AST.2.6.TM.D – one per teacher
- MS.AST.2.6.ASSESS.A – one per student
- Precepts
- D. Character; D4. Respect others
- Key Terms
- Germination
- Lesson Number
- MS.AST.2.6
- Curriculum
- Middle School Food and Agricultural Literacy Curriculum
Downloads & Links
Aligned Standards
National Standards
- CS.11.01.01.bDesign an experiment to test a hypothesis.
- CS.11.02.01.bImplement an experimental design to test a formulated hypothesis.
- NL-ENG.K-12.5Communication Strategies – Students employ a wide range of strategies as they write and use different writing process elements appropriately to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes.
- NS.5-8.1Science as Inquiry
- NS.5-8.3Life Science
- PS.03.01.02.cConduct tests associated with seed germination rates, viability and vigor.
- PS.03.02.04.aObserve and record environmental conditions during the germination, growth and development of a crop.