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

Wednesday

The lean test
// How the world around us shapes traits
⏱ about 15 min

Wednesday: The Lean Test

Rocket sets a small potted plant on a sunny windowsill. "Plants just grow straight up," he says.

Raven turns the pot a little. "Are you sure? What do you notice about where the light comes from?"

Nova hovers between the plant and the window. "Mark which side faces the glass," she says. "Then wait."

Your investigation

You will test whether light from one side changes the way a plant grows.

  • A small potted plant
  • Or a bean seedling from your seed bag, planted in a cup of soil
  • A windowsill with light from one side
  • A sticky note or tape to mark the pot
  • Water
Safety first
Wash your hands after touching soil.
Never eat any part of a plant.
A grown-up checks that the plant is safe to touch.
  1. Put a piece of tape on the side of the pot that faces the window.
  2. Draw the plant from the side. Show how straight it stands.
  3. Leave the pot in the same spot for five days. Water it if the soil gets dry.
  4. Each day, look at which way the stem points.
  5. On day five, draw the plant again.
  6. Then turn the pot all the way around. Watch for a few more days.
MAKE A PREDICTION
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
After five days, which way will the plant lean?
DayWhich way the stem points
1
2
3
4
5
Light testTrue or false?
Light is part of a plant's environment.?
A plant lit from one side can grow with a lean.?
We changed the kind of plant in this test.?
WHY THIS EXERCISEOnly the light changed, so the lean is evidence the environment shapes plants.

Why the plant leans

Your plant got light from only one side.

Plants stretch to reach for light. So the stem bent toward the window.

When you turned the pot, the light came from the other side.

AFTER THE TURN
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
You turned the pot around. Which way do you predict the stem will bend now?
What one thing changed in this test?
Plants lean toward what? Type one word.
WHY THIS EXERCISEPlants stretch toward light, so they lean toward the window.

Your plant is now part of an experiment! Tomorrow we meet a flower that changes color with its soil.

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