Science Experiment for Kids: What Plants Need
Discover What Plants Need to Grow with This Science Experiment
Plants need certain things to grow and live. The purpose of this investigative activity is to determine what plants need. With this activity students will observe changes in plants. They then will compare their observations to find out what plants need to grow.
Each student or class will need:
- 6 young plants
- 6 paper cups or potting containers
- Potting soil
- Permanent marker
- Brown paper bag
- Water
- Ruler
Experiment Procedures:
Make a chart with the following across the top:
PLANTS DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 … all the way up to DAY 14
Down the side of the chart write:
No Water
No Light
Water & Light
Directions:
- Put a small amount of potting soil to the bottom of each paper cup. Add a plant to each cup and place more potting soil around the plant. Label two of the plants with a sign – NO WATER. Put these two plants in a sunny window but do not water them.
- Label the next two plants – NO LIGHT. Place these plants in away from sunlight. Water these plants put then place a brown paper bag over them. Lunch bags are perfect for this.
- Now label the last two plants – WATER & LIGHT. Water these plants and place them in a sunny window.
- Every other day for two weeks, observe the plants. Check to make sure the plants labeled NO LIGHT and WATER & LIGHT have damp soil. Water them if they need water. Don’t over water the plants.
- On your chart record any changes you observe in the plants. Look for changes in color, height of the plant and its general look. Use your ruler to measure the plant when you first start so you will know if the plant is growing.
Drawing Conclusions:
1. Which plant looked the healthiest after two weeks? Why do you think that plant looked healthier than the others?
2. Which plants looked the least healthy after two weeks? How was it different from the plants that looked healthy?
Summary: Scientists often compare observations to learn new things. Compare your observations of the plants to discover what things plants need to grow. Make a list of the things you think they need. How does it compare with your classmates conclusions? What can you learn from comparisons?
Science Tip -What it means to compare – When you compare things you tell how they are alike and how they are different. You can compare plants, observations, people or things.
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Happy Homeschooling,
Belinda
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