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Seed Experiments for Elementary School

Seeds serve as an excellent learning tool, as well as an inexpensive experimental model for classrooms. The main reasons for their widespread use in elementary school education are that many seeds can be grown with relatively little effort and, since growth requires only sunlight and water, experimental manipulations are easy to include.

Seed Growth in Different Temperatures
- Students can find out the percentages of seed germination in different temperatures, while keeping the environment constant for each sample group. The experiment can be performed in a variety of ways; the only critical point is to ensure that constants are kept consistent. Identical seeds should be used, as well as the same soil (if used), germination time, water and sunlight. You can use a heating pan to alter the temperature of the seeds. If desired, a plastic covering can be used to help maintain a constant temperate environment.
Hydroponics
- Students can explore the principle of hydroponics through a simple experimental setup. Hydroponics involves seeds that grow submerged in water, with no soil. One of the best types of seeds to use for this experiment is bean seeds, which can be set up in a cup filled with water. Leave the cup open and ensure that it receives sunlight at least once per day over the course of the experiment. Allow kids to graph the results every day over the course of two weeks.
Growing Seeds in Different Liquids
- Related to the hydroponics experiment is performing a next-step experiment, demonstrating seed growth in different liquid mediums. Like the previous experiment, set up several constants for different containers, each containing a different liquid. Your liquid choices can range from vinegar and salt-water to juices and sodas. Allow children to monitor growth in each of the liquids over the course of two weeks.
Effects of Light Variations
- Light plays a critical role in plant growth, much like water. Plants include chlorophyll, which absorbs light from the red and blue ends of the visible spectrum. It then converts the light -- along with water -- to energy and sugars for the plant. An experimental design can be set up to observe the effect sunlight has on plant growth. Place several bean seeds in different cups, each planted in potting soil. Water each plant the same amount each day; however, place each in the sun for a different, designated amount of time. At the end of the experiment, determine which plants grew better versus which were stunted from too little or too much sunlight.

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