Cheryl Pitts - Crown Academy

Let There be Light

Cheryl Pitts                   Crown Academy
                               2128 St. Louis Avenue 
                               CHICAGO IL 60623
                               (773) 534-1680  

Objective(s):

The students will learn the process of photosynthesis.
This is for all grades.  The level can be scaled according to
the level of the students.                                                     

Materials Needed:

1. shallow trays or containers (the number needed for your class size)
2. potting soil
3. watercress seeds
4. water 
5. cardboard (larger than the tray)
6. stencils (letters and fun designs)
7. SUNLIGHT!!!
  
Strategy:

1. Fill shallow tray/container half full with potting soil.  Scatter watercress 
   seeds freely covering the entire tray/container.  Moisten the tray with 
   water. 

2. Cut initials and/or design from cardboard, place it over the seedlings. 
   Make sure the sunlight cannot reach the plants beneath.  * The cardboard
   should be a little bit larger than the tray/container except for the 
   cutout areas itself.

3. Leave the tray in a sunny position.  Keep the soil moist while the 
   watercress is growing.  Wait for approximately two weeks for the plant 
   to germinate and grow.

4. During this growing process do not remove the cardboard.  You should 
   occasionally turn the tray/container to allow equal amounts of sunlight
   parts of the tray.

5. When you observe that the watercress is fully grown, remove the cardboard.
   You will be able to see your initials or design in the pattern of growth.
   At this time the watercress leaves will be much darker green than the rest
   of the plant.

Performance Assessment:

The evaluation will be primarily based on students' observations and data
recording of the growth of the plants.


Conclusions:

Because the process of phototropism, the plants will grow toward the light. 
Hence, the plants will grow through the openings in the stencil and create a 
pattern. 

References:

Encyclopedia of Science Projects Shooting Star Press, 1994