iThink Like a Scientist

Plants iView Website Survey and permission forms Blog/vlog and website This is how you can check up on your germination experiments during the week Pay attention to the timer – it let’s us know when we need to move onto the next step

Plants iView Each week there will be a web component to what we do in PiV You will do interview that may be posted online (show your family!). You will be able to blog with UIUC plant biology graduate student mentors

Scientific Method Observation Literature Research Hypothesis/Predictions Testing Revise/Additional Tests

Germination Germination Now let’s practice the first step of the scientific method: Observation! Watch this close up of seedling germination. What steps do plants take when germinating? What do plants need to germinate?

Germination Experiment Hand out variables Pull a variable out of the jar! How can you test this variable? Write a prediction with your mentor – type as a reply into forums post on website Design your experiment. Work with your mentor to set up your experiment

Plants Respond in Other Ways, Too! Phototropism Sunflower tracking sun Seedlings tracking light Seedlings track artificial light too! Thigmotropism Vines actually search for a place to climb! Secret life of plants seed dispersal (10min) Min. 4:04-5:15 is the most interesting

Newscast Choose a student to be the interviewer and the interviewee. Write questions as if you were conducting an interview about today’s lesson. Don’t forget to write and practice the answers as well! Use the video camera to tape your groups interview. Take photos of experiment when done 

Next Week Soil testing – bring soil from home Biomes – creating your own terrarium Remember to pick up a handout before leaving!