In this unit, students plan and conduct experiments to determine how different variables affect the growth and seed production of rapid-cycling Brassica rapa (Wisconsin Fast Plants™). Their experiences introduce them to the following concepts, skills, and attitudes.

• Plants need soil nutrients, light, and water.
• Plant growth is affected by the quantities of nutrients, light, and water available.
• Controlling variables enables the effect of each to be identified and studied.
• Flowering plants must be pollinated in order to produce seeds.
• Bees are effective pollinators.
• One seed has the potential to produce one plant.
• The number of seeds produced by a single plant is affected by such variables as nutrients, light, water, and the extent of pollination.
• The orientation of a plant’s growth is affected by gravity and light.

Skills

• Planting and caring for plants.
• Predicting how changing one variable might affect the outcome of an experiment.
• Planning and conducting experiments in which variables are controlled.
• Observing, measuring, describing, and recording changes in plant growth.
• Communicating results through graphs, drawings, and group presentations.
• Interpreting and analyzing how different variables affect the growth and change of plants over time.
• Reflecting on experiences through writing and discussion.
• Reading and researching to learn more about plants.

Attitudes

• Developing an interest in investigating plant growth.
• Appreciating the need for careful and precise design of experiments.
• Appreciating the need for detailed recordkeeping during experimentation.
• Valuing scientific data that has been collected over time.