Plant Growth Lab

About this simulation

Two pots, one fair test. Pot A always gets what a plant needs; you choose what changes for Pot B. Follow both plants from seed to sprout, seedling, flowers and fruit, read their heights on the ruler and the chart, and find out what each one needed.

What students can explore

What happens to a plant kept in the dark?
Can a plant get too much water?
Does a seed need light to sprout?
Which soil grows the tallest plant?

Learning objectives

1Name what a plant needs to grow: light, water, warmth, air and nutrients from the soil.
2Plan a fair test by changing only one thing and keeping everything else the same.
3Describe the life cycle of a flowering plant from seed to fruit and new seeds.

Questions teachers ask

What does a plant need to grow?

Light, water, warmth, air and nutrients from the soil. A seed only needs water and warmth to sprout, because it carries its own food. Once its leaves open, it needs light to make more food.

Why does the lab use two pots?

To make the test fair. Pot A always gets normal conditions, so when you change one thing for Pot B, any difference between the two plants comes from that one change.

How can I use the Plant Growth Lab in class?

Ask the class to predict which plant will be taller on day 45, change one thing for Pot B, then press Grow. Pause at each stage to name the plant parts and compare the heights on the chart.

Embed this simulation

Drop it into your LMS, blog, or class site — free.

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