← Back to course
Science Launch G5 / Week 06 / Launch Lab
6/6
Week 06 · Plants Build From Air and Water

Launch Lab

Launch Lab: Seed watchers
// Where a tree gets its wood
⏱ about 15 min

Launch Lab: Seed watchers

Raven tapes a damp paper towel inside a clear cup. Rocket tucks two dry beans between the towel and the plastic.

"Now we can watch roots grow," Raven says. "Right through the wall."

Rocket sets the cup on a sunny windowsill. "I will check it every morning," he promises.

Nova blinks. "I will remind you," she says. "Scientists keep records, not just memories."

  1. Plants get the material they need to grow mainly from air and water.
  2. Van Helmont's willow gained about 164 pounds while the soil lost about 2 ounces.
  3. Photosynthesis uses sunlight, water and carbon dioxide to make sugar and oxygen.
  4. Leaves release water vapor in a process called transpiration.
◇ SEED WATCHERS
Fold a paper towel and line the inside of a clear cup with it.
Wet the towel until it is damp, not dripping.
Slide two dry beans between the towel and the side of the cup.
Keep the towel damp and check the beans every day for a week.
Draw what you see each day.
For a grown-up
Ask: what did you notice? What would you change?
Use dry beans from the kitchen. Keep them away from little children, and do not eat them after.
WEEK CHECK
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
Where does most of a growing bean plant's material come from?
What do plants make during photosynthesis?
Plants get most of their material from air and ____.
Plants release ____ gas into the air.
Leaves release water vapor in a process called ____. Type one word.
WHY THIS EXERCISETranspiration is water leaving leaves as vapor.

Next week we will follow the energy plants capture all the way to your lunch.

← Friday