Plant Growth Interactive Simulation

Plants grow by converting sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into food. Growth rate depends on both light and water — if either is scarce, growth slows. The height after a given number of days is proportional to the product of the two supply fractions. Students can change light and water and compare what happens. Use it for biology inquiry with Grades 2–5 and Middle School on a projector or student device.

Standards: NGSS 2-LS2-1

• Why reducing light OR water both slow growth (multiplicative dependence)
• How a plant with plenty of water but no light still cannot grow
• How the height formula (days × light × water × 1.5) models limiting factors
• Why leaves are broad and flat — to capture as much light as possible
• What happens to the stem, leaves, and flower as the plant grows taller

1. 1Predict how changing light will affect the height, then test the prediction.
2. 2Use evidence from the interactive visual to explain the result.

Questions teachers ask