Grow your own plants to discover how seeds turn into flowers or vegetables! You will build a mini-greenhouse and track your plant's growth to learn about biology.

Tools

• scissors
• permanent marker
• ruler

Materials

• clear plastic cups (12 oz, 3)
• potting soil (1 quart)
• fast-growing seeds like beans or sunflowers (1 packet)
• plastic wrap (12 inch square, 3)
• rubber bands (small, 3)
• water spray bottle (8 oz, 1)
• wooden popsicle sticks (3)
• masking tape (1 roll)

Safety

• Adult supervision required when using scissors.
• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling soil and seeds.
• Do not eat the seeds or potting soil.
• Adult supervision required for sharp objects.
• Rubber bands can snap. Wear eye protection if launching projectiles.
• Adult supervision required for children under 8.

Steps

1. Label each plastic cup with a permanent marker (e.g., 'Plant A', 'Plant B', 'Plant C') using the masking tape.
2. Fill each of the three plastic cups about 3/4 full with potting soil, leaving a small space at the top.
3. Use your finger to poke a small hole about 1 inch deep into the center of the soil in each cup.
4. Place 2-3 seeds into the hole of each cup and gently cover them with a thin layer of soil.
5. Lightly spray the top of the soil with the water spray bottle until it feels damp but not soaked.
6. Cover the top of each cup with a square of plastic wrap and secure it tightly with a rubber band to create a mini-greenhouse effect.
7. Place your cups on a sunny windowsill where they can get plenty of light.
8. Check your plants daily and spray them with water whenever the soil feels dry to the touch.
9. Once you see a green sprout emerge from the soil, remove the plastic wrap and rubber band.
10. Insert a popsicle stick into the soil next to the plant and use the ruler to measure the height of the plant every two days, recording the growth in a notebook.