Teacher Page
Background
Information
These activities are not meant to be a comprehensive lesson on plant parts,
photosynthesis, germination, etc. However, it can be done as a culminating
activity or used concurrently for a unit on plants. There are also connections
to physical science lessons on changing states of matter. Helpful links for both
are provided.
Objectives
By participating in these activities, students will explore science topics that
are relevant and multi-disciplinary. SWBAT:
1. Recognize the role of the roots, soil and nutrients for plant growth.
2. Recognize why salt melts ice and the purpose of using it for snow removal.
3. Gain technology skills by participating in a WebQuest
4. Gain science and math skills by using the scientific method, measuring salt
concentration and plant growth, collecting data and graphing results.
5. Think critically about the environmental impact of human activities.
6. Gain presentation skills by presenting their results to the class.
Additional
Instructions
1. Plant Growth – Students
should work with partners as they grow and collect data on their plants. Bean
plants work well and several seeds can be placed in each pot with a separate pot
for each salt concentration. They can take turns measuring and recording data or
roles can be assigned. The teacher may wish to make a large volume of each
concentration by either weight or volume ratio to reflect the values of 0 salt,
.5%, 1%, 1.5% and 2%. This can be demonstrated to the class as you do it. In
order to be consistent, a measuring cup may be used to give the same amount of
daily water to each plant. The data should be collected every other day at the
most in order to get significant changes between measurements
2. Graphing – There are 2 links for graphing on the WebQuest. This portion of
the activity should be guided with a computer projector. Once the proper format
is established, students can put their own data into the data boxes and print
them. There will be a separate line graph for each salt concentration and 1 bar
graph that compare the end result of plant height for all the salt
concentrations. While this is fairly simple to do, it is recommended that the
teacher try a sample of each type of graph before attempting to guide the class
through the process.
Additional Links
Plants
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/gpe/
http://www.kathimitchell.com/plants.html
Salt and Ice
http://science.howstuffworks.com/question58.htm
http://www.teachersdomain.org/K-2/sci/phys/descwrld/zsalt/
http://www.aplaceofourown.org/activity.php?id=136
http://www.cdm.org/p/viewPage.asp?mlid=30&cid=4&sid=3&aid=80