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Science Launch G3 / Week 07 / Launch Lab
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Week 07 · Traits and Surroundings

Launch Lab

Launch Lab: Sun and Shade Hunt
// How the world around us shapes traits
⏱ about 15 min

Launch Lab: Sun and Shade Hunt

Rocket finds dandelions in bright sun. Raven finds dandelions under a shady bench.

"Same plant, different spots," Rocket says. "Let's compare!"

Raven measures with her fingers. "What do you notice about the leaves and stems?"

Nova hovers between them. "Collect evidence," she says. "Then make your claim."

  1. The environment is everything around a living thing.
  2. Food can change traits. A pigment in food turns flamingos pink.
  3. Light can change traits. Plants in dim light grow tall and spindly.
  4. Soil can change traits. It decides if bigleaf hydrangeas are blue or pink.
  5. Many traits come from genes and the environment together.
◇ SUN AND SHADE HUNT
Walk outside with a grown-up.
Find one kind of plant growing in a sunny spot and a shady spot.
Look at both. Do not pick them.
Compare height, leaf size and leaf color.
Draw both plants side by side.
Decide: did sun or shade seem to change the plant?
Safety first
Look with your eyes. Do not pick or taste plants.
Stay with your grown-up the whole time.
Wash your hands when you get home.
For a grown-up
Ask: what did you notice? What would you change?
Ask: what evidence supports your claim about sun and shade?
LAUNCH LAB CHECK
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
Two plants of the same kind look different in sun and shade. What could explain it?
Food with pigment turns flamingos ____.
Plants in dim light grow tall and ____.
Hydrangea color depends on the ____.
HUNT THINKING
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
Why look at the same kind of plant in sun and in shade?
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