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Seed Germination Experiments

 Author:  Elena Ortiz-Barney and Chuck Kazilek

Area: Life Sciences 

 Grade Level: 4-9

Overview: 

This lesson provides guidance on conducting your own seed germination experiments in the classroom. There are sections on materials, methods, choosing a research question, choosing experimental treatments, measuring seedlings, and analyzing your data. There is a link to a web based data set with pictures of germinating seeds. Students can measure and analyze the data of the virtual experiment on-line within a few class periods. This analysis can provide a springboard for student’s ideas and research questions. They can also compare the results of the virtual web-based experiment to their own experiments.

 

 Keywords:

seed germination, germination, development, environmental effects, embryo

 Related Links:

 

 

 Standards:

AZ State Standards:

Strand1 Inquiry Process

Concept 2 Scientific Testing

PO1, PO3 , PO4, PO5

Concept 3 Analysis and Conclusion

PO1, PO2, PO3, PO4, PO5

Concept 4 Communication

PO1, PO2, PO3, PO5 (8th Grade)

Strand 4 Life Sciences(8th Grade)

Concept 4 Diversity, Adaptation and Behaviour

PO5 Analyse the following behavioural cycles of organisms

  • Dormancy (plants)

Strand 4 Life Sciences 7th Grade

Concept 3 Population of Organisms in an ecosystem

PO2, PO3

National Science Education Standards Unifying Content Standard: K-12

As a result of activities in grades K-12, all students should develop understanding and abilities aligned with the following concepts and processes: Constancy, change, and measurement

CONTENT STANDARD C: K-4

As a result of activities in grades K-4, all students should develop understanding of

  • The characteristics of organisms
  • Life cycles of organisms
  • Organisms and environments

CONTENT STANDARD C: 5-8

As a result of their activities in grades 5-8, all students should develop understanding of Structure and function in living systems

Arizona Science Standards:
Readiness

1SC-R5. Perform simple measurements and comparisons 1SC-R7. Observe and describe changes in a simple system 4SC-R2. Describe the basic needs of living organisms

Foundations

1SC-F3. Identify and record changes and patterns of changes in a familiar system 4SC-F3. Identify the basic structures and functions of plants 4SC-F1. Describe and explain cause-and-effect relationships in living systems 4SC-F6. Recognize that offspring within families have both similarities and differences

Essentials

1SC-E3. Organize and present data gathered from their own experiences, using appropriate mathematical analyses and graphical representations

 Components

Germination Lesson (pdf / doc)
Pocket Packet (pdf / doc)