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In this investigation, learners plant seeds in a 2-liter bottle filled with soil that is connected to a water source below. Over the next few weeks, learners observe how the plants grow. The investigation is open-ended, with suggestions for variables to change and indicators to measure, such as pH of the soil and water. Instructions are given for performing a salt pollution experiment as one possibility. The activity comes from a printed book that is also available in Spanish, though the Spanish version is not available online.
- 1 to 2 hours
- 1 to 4 weeks
- $1 - $5 per student
- Ages 4 - 14
- Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per student)
- One 2-liter soda bottle (two bottles for option 2)
- One bottle cap
- Wicking material-fabric interfacing or cotton string
- Water, soil and plants
- Gravel, sand or vermiculite (optional)
- Box top or drawer to stabilize bottle while making cutting lines
- Marker, wax pencil or crayon for drawing cutting lines
- Cutting blade or utility knife to start cut
- Scissors to cut bottle
- Clothes line, polyester or nylon craft cording (optional)
Subjects
-
Life Sciences
-
Diversity of Life
- Plants
-
Ecology
- Ecosystems
-
Diversity of Life
-
Physical Sciences
-
Chemistry
- Acids and Bases
-
Chemistry
Informal Categories
- Gardening
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- see color
- read
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
Components that are part of this resource:
- Build a TerrAqua Investigation Column (option 1)
- Build a TerrAqua Investigation Column (option 2)
- Hang your TerrAqua Column
- Fill for TerrAqua
- Observe your TerrAqua Column
- Salt Pollution: Does salt affect plant growth?
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
Source Collection
- Science After School Consumer's Guide
Rights:
- Creative Commons: Non-commercial Share Alike (by-nc-sa), Wisconsin Fast Plants Program, 2007
Funding Source:
- National Science Foundation