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home >> investigating plants >> affect of temperature on germination
 
Investigation One
How does temperature affect germination?
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National Curriculum Links

Sc2 3a
-The effect of ………………………………temperature on plant growth.
 
QCA Links

3b
Helping plants grow well

In addition can be used in following QCA schemes of work

1b Growing plants
2b Plants and animals in the local environment
 
 

Learning Objectives
  • Students recognise the effects of depriving seeds of heat.
  • Students start to understand how germination can be affected by different conditions
Background Organic Information
Organic gardeners aim to give plants a good start. One of the ways in which they do this is to ensure that plants germinate under optimum conditions.

This activity can be used to explore the requirements that plants have for successful germination. This could lead on to further study of germination.
 
Resources
Seed trays/modules/pots
Seeds
Seed compost
 
Time Required
Set-up time: 1 hour
Investigation time: Two weeks minimum (10 minutes each day)
Follow up time: 1 hour
 
Structuring the lesson

Introduction

  • Revise with students the idea of germination.
  • Using the idea that humans need certain conditions in order to survive introduce the idea that seeds also need certain conditions in order to germinate.
  • Discuss what conditions seeds might need to germinate successfully.

Activity

  • Students to grow plants from seed under different environmental conditions.
  • Students to investigate the effects on germination of changes in temperature.

Summary

  • Discuss what the children have discovered about the needs of seeds, and what the effects of changing temperature is.
Skills
Sc1 2a - ask questions that can be investigated scientifically and decide how to find the answers.
Sc1 2d - make a fair test or comparison by changing one factor and observing or measuring the effect whilst keeping factors the same.
Sc1 2f - make systematic observations and measurements.
Sc1 2j - use observations, measurements or other data to draw conclusions.
Sc1 2l - use their scientific knowledge and understanding to explain observations, measurements or other data.
Vocabulary
Germination
Temperature
 
Differentiation
All students will be able to describe the basic conditions that a plant needs to live. (Level 2)
Some students will provide simple explanations for changes in living things. (Level 3)
 
Extension/future learning
Students can use reference books, textbooks and ICT to investigate the process of photosynthesis.
 
Cross Curricular Links
English:

Writing descriptions from observations
Collating and presenting information

Mathematics: Handling data
Key Skills: Communication
Application of number
Working with others
Problem solving
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