Hobbies And Interests
Lights Out Project
The lights out science project shows the effect that a lack of sunlight has on the leaves of plants. To do this project, you will need a plant, aluminum foil, scissors and paperclips. Cut out some simple geometric shapes from the foil, such as squares, triangles or circles. These shapes should be large enough to cover half of each leaf on the plant. Use a paperclip to secure each shape onto a different plant leaf. Keep the plant in a place where it will get plenty of direct sunlight for four days, before gently peeling off the foil. Observe and compare the parts of the leaves that you covered with foil shapes with the other parts without any foil. Write down what you can see and the effect sunlight has on keeping your plant healthy and functioning.
Energy for Life Project
The energy for life project explores how plants need sunlight for energy in order to live and stay healthy. This project is ideal for teaching younger children about the requirements of plants. For this science experiment, you will need two similar plants, one brown paper bag and some water. Cover one of the plants with a brown paper bag before placing and leaving both plants in direct sunlight for two weeks. Water the plants regularly with the same amount. After two weeks, take off the brown paper bag, observe the results and write down what has happened to each plant.
Sunlight and Chlorophyll Project
This project focuses on the relationship between sunlight and chlorophyll in plants. It is ideal for a class project. Students will learn how important sunlight is for plants because without it they cannot produce chlorophyll, a chemical that makes plants green, and will eventually die. Divide the class into groups of three or four, and give each group a plant. Have each group cut out small ovals from black construction paper. On two of the plant leaves, place an oval on top of the leaf and one on the bottom and secure with paperclips. The entire surface on these two leaves should be covered. Leave the plants in direct sunlight for one week, watering regularly, before taking off the construction paper and observing the results. Place the plants back into direct sunlight for another week, without any construction paper, and watch what happens to the leaves.
Milk Carton Plant Project
The milk carton plant project shows students all the things plants need to grow, including sunlight. To begin, carefully cut the top of a milk carton off and fill with soil. Plant seeds, such as corn, bean or radish seeds that sprout quickly, and dampen the soil. Wait for the seeds to sprout before dividing the carton into four sections. In the first section, allow the plants water, air and soil but not sunlight. In the second section, allow the plants water, soil and sunlight but no air by sealing them in a plastic bag. In the third section, allow the plants soil, sunlight and air but no water. The fourth section is the control section, so allow the plants soil, water, air and sunlight. Measure how much the plants in each section have growth and record on a graph. The plants that have grown the most should be in the control section, as they are receiving all that they need to be healthy.