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Our summer gardening experiment has led to several questions about plants. I explained that plants get energy from the sun, and designed this simple experiment to teach my kids how important the sun is to plants. We put a tomato seedling in front of a window, and observed that it bent its stem to expose its leaves completely to the sun. Then we marked where the leaves were leaning (see the right edge of the pot), and turned the pot so that the plant was facing away. We did this several times, noting each time that the plant would change directions to get as much sunlight, and always marking the edge of the pot that the leaves were closest to. It’s an experiment I hope to repeat with my kids over the years, explaining what is going on in greater complexity as they grow older.
The experiment definitely made an impression on Emma – she has been drawing plants in the sun ever since, like this:
The little animal on the top right is a bumblebee, pollinating the flowers =)
What are your favorite experiments and other science activities for kids?
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This is such a great idea. It’s one of the things that has always fascinated me personally about plants (that they can actually move, and quickly!), but I’ve never thought to point it out to my kids. I can think of so many ways to illustrate this now. Thanks for sharing.
.-= Jaimie´s last blog ..Self Portrait Saturday 8- July 17th- 2010- Almost Two Years Ago =-.
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That’s such a fun learning opportunity. We did something similar when my daughters brought home potted sun flowers from school. They kept asking why the flowers were “bending to the window,” which led to a discussion about why the sun is important for plants.
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I love messing with plants and rotating them around to see them grow different directions in the sun.
.-= Ticia´s last blog ..Science Sunday- San Diego Zoo =-.
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Again, Emma is so intelligent and talented/creative as well.
This is a fun learning experiment and I like the way you went about doing it with them.
.-= Susana´s last blog ..A Boy and His Trucks =-.
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Love her drawing! Sounds like she is really understanding the concept quite well. We just read Leaves, Leaves, Leaves and Emily really enjoyed it.
.-= Valerie @ Frugal Family Fun Blog´s last blog ..Super-Easy Cool Comets =-.
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Marking on the edge of the pot is genius! :) I’ll have to try this.
.-= Elisa | blissfulE´s last blog ..torso back carry =-.
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I thought it was a rake at first :) This is a great experiment, and I always enjoy seeing Emma’s drawings.
.-= Natalie´s last blog ..Geography Track – Landmarks =-.
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Thanks everybody! And Natalie, I can see why you thought it was a rake – I was a little surprised when she said they were flowers ;)
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Wonderful! If only I could keep plants alive long enough for such an exercise!
.-= Sadia´s last blog ..Oregon vacation – Keizer and the Rodriguez clan =-.
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I love the combination of science and journaling! Emma’s picture and learning makes me smile! Kids love plants, don’t they?! We’ve been planting too. :)
.-= jeannine: waddlee-ah-chaa´s last blog ..Container Gardening with Children- Square Foot Gardening Style =-.
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I just wanted to tell you that I really enjoy your blog. I came upon it sometime last year and I keep returning to see what’s new. You children are adorable by the way. I love your crafts, they are unique.
.-= Tiyana´s last blog ..Homeschool – Unschool =-.
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LOVE IT! So simple but SO cool for kids to learn!!
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I love how you marked the pot. A wonderful science project to share with children. I just shared on Pinterest!
Visit heather • wordplayhouse® … clean calm—enjoying homekeeping with children
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maryanne Reply:
March 29th, 2012 at 1:51 pm
Glad you liked the experiment, and thanks for sharing on pinterest!
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[...] Experiment with sunlight and watch the plants follow the sun as you rotate them – thanks Mama Smiles. [...]
I’m doing thus with my preschoolers. One set of 8 in the class closet, one set of 8 outdoors. We planted sunflower seeds. 5 days later, 6 of the seeds in the closet sprouted. The entire set outdoors did not show any signs of “poking” through the soil. By the end of the week, the set in the closet was standing 4-6″ strong. One seed from the outdoor set had just poked through. What are your thoughts? I’m shocked.
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maryanne Reply:
April 7th, 2012 at 4:21 pm
Is the closet warmer? It’s definitely more climate controlled, which might help sprouting. The plants only need light to thrive once they have leaves, so as time hours by your outdoor plants will probably do better, would be my guess. Does that make sense?
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maryanne Reply:
April 7th, 2012 at 4:22 pm
Oops make that time goes by!!!
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What a great idea! We have lots of plant and growing ideas planned too, i love this time of year. x
Visit Emma @mummymummymum … 52 Photo’s 8th April
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