2.7 Researching Plant Growth Conditions
This middle school lesson (MS.AST.2.7, “Researching Plant Growth Conditions”) teaches students to design an agricultural research project using the scientific method through a hands-on seed germination lab. Students review factors that influence plant growth, form a hypothesis, conduct a five-day test recording observations, and draw conclusions. It is part of the Middle School Food and Agricultural Literacy Curriculum (Pork Checkoff) and includes teacher transparencies, a lab report sheet, and an assessment.
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… Design an agricultural research project using the scientific method.
- Time required
- Instruction time for this lesson: 45 minutes.
- Grade level
- Middle School
- Materials
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- Clear plastic cups – one per student
- Cotton balls – one per student
- Pea seeds – one per student
- Bean seeds – one per student
- Radish seeds – one per student
- Corn seeds – one per student
- Water droppers – one per 3 to 4 kids to share
- Thermometers – one per 3 to 4 kids to share
- Various fluids – Enough liquid to water the amount of plants for the number of kids in your class
- Various lights (grow light, incandescent, fluorescent, halogen) – one per class
- Two different pre-purchased plants
- Overhead projector/transparencies
- MS.AST.2.7.TM.A – one per teacher
- MS.AST.2.7.TM.B – one per teacher
- MS.AST.2.7.TM.C – one per teacher
- MS.AST.2.7.TM.D – one per teacher
- MS.AST.2.7.AS.A – one per student
- MS.AST.2.7.ASSESS.A – one per student
- Lesson Number
- MS.AST.2.7
- Precepts
- B. Relationship; B4. Eliminate barriers in building relationships
- Key Terms
- Hypothesis; Test; Conclusion
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-12.4Communication Skills
- NS.5-8.1Science as Inquiry
- NS.5-8.3Life Science
- PS.02.01.01.cEvaluate plant responses to varied light, color, intensity and duration.
- PS.02.01.02.bDetermine the optimal air, temperature and water conditions for plant growth.