New draft Experiences and Outcomes
Planet Earth - Biodiversity
First Level - I can help design experiments to find out what plants need in order to grow and develop. I can observe and record my findings and from what I have learned I can grow healthy plants in school. SCN 103B

A class project on sprouting seeds

This Activity is suitable for those pupils at Level Two, Primary 5 to 7, and older.

Pupils could investigate and determine the ideal conditions for sprouting seeds. They could experiment with different growing media – water, vermiculite or compost soil, and different sunlight conditions – direct sunlight or shade.

Materials

alfalfa, mustard, cress, radish seeds
clean water
large plastic teaspoons
4 large tin trays
4 to 9 jars
muslin
sieve
elastic bands
camera

Method

• Label the four tin trays and jars with the specific type of seed that will be placed in each.
• Tape the various seeds onto a sheet of paper and label each type.
• Photograph the seed chart to use in documenting the project.
• Divide pupils into two groups, giving each group two different types of seeds. Photograph each group as they undertake the different steps of the activity.
• Help them in measuring three spoons of seeds and in placing them in separate tin trays.
• Put the seeds in a sieve and rinse with water before placing them in their labelled jars.
• Cover the rinsed seeds with a few centimetres of clean water, and let them soak overnight.
• The next morning strain the seeds by using rubber bands to fasten sheets of
  muslin over the openings of the jars.
• Place the jars upside down in the trays so that they will drain.
• Keep the jars in an area where they cannot be easily tipped over.
• Later in the day, ask pupils to repeat the rinsing.
• Repeat these steps for four more days.
• Use a calendar to mark off the days and record observations about the sprouts.
• Once the sprouts grow, encourage pupils to observe their differences and similarities. They could draw and photograph the sprouts.
• Send home a copy of the sprout activity so that families can sprout seeds at home.

Healthy Eating and the Obesity crisis