8th Grade Plants in Space

Our 8th grade scientists just wrapped up their two-month long Plants in Space lab experiment. For this experiment, students are placed into groups and then randomly draw one of the following variables to manipulate: light, water, temperature, substrate, pH, pressure, or gravity. Students are then launched into the scientific method, working collaboratively with their group to design an experiment testing their variable. 

Students began by doing research on their variables and how it would impact the growth of a lettuce plant. Next they determined how they would like to test variables in an experiment. One group decided to change the temperature of the water used to water their plant, and another decided to use different kinds of light like a backlight to see how plant growth would be affected. Some groups explored using a substrate of coffee, skittles, and…butter -- we love to let our students' curiosity take them to new places!  Students wrote hypotheses, prepared data collection charts, and constructed experiment supports before launching! Over the course of four weeks, students cared for their lettuce, carefully documenting the impact of their manipulated variable. 

As the fall term begins to wrap up, each student will write a complete lab report explaining their experiment and reporting on the results that they gathered. It's an exciting experience to see the powerful 8th grade scientists conducting a study that they created!