Mission to Mars Tomatosphere

What is Tomatosphere? Click the tomato to link to the website!

Let’s get started on your paper. Write your heading Let’s title this. Notes – Tomatosphere 1. I’ll make anything you need to copy on your paper in red text, like I did with the title up there. Got it? Let’s get started here.

Copy the questions. You will answer them while viewing the slides. Notes – Tomatosphere 1. What have our seeds been exposed to? 2. Our OBJECTIVE is to compare what kind of rate? 3. We are comparing this rate for what two groups of seeds? 4. What are the 4 life requirements that we hope to supply? 5. What is successful germination for one of our plants? 6. You will use a toothpick to push down your seed to what depth?

A trip to Mars? Our seeds have been exposed to: extremely cold temperature (-90 o C), and very low pressure (almost a vacuum). Why? Because these conditions are likely to occur during a trip to Mars. HOW WOULD THIS AFFECT TOMATO PLANTS THAT WE TAKE TO MARS?

Objective The Tomatosphere project objective is – to compare the germination rate of tomato seeds – and the growth of tomato plants What are we comparing? – Contol group of seeds (Earth-bound) – to – Experimental group (Space treated)

Why? To answer the question of how we can supply people who go to Mars with life requirements, which are – food, – water, – oxygen – the need to get rid of carbon dioxide exhaled.

How? You will observe the tomatoes during their seedling germination and growth. You will record your observations and send the data to NASA.

What is Germination? A process by which a seed changes into a seedling with leaves, stem and roots. For purposes of this experiment, a seed can be considered to have successfully germinated when two (2) seed leaves (cotyledons) can be seen. Following is a picture.

Germination—two leaves. Note that two plants are shown here. (One is circled.)

Conditions Necessary for Germination 1.Moisture (the stimulus that starts germination) 2.Oxygen: All green plants need oxygen to "breathe" or respire, just like humans. 3.Warmth: – Minimum: Tomato plants will not germinate at temperatures below 10°C. – Optimum: Tomato plants germinate best between 17°C and 20°C. – Maximum: Tomato plants will not germinate at temperatures which exceed 35°C. This is an EQ Answer!

Planting Medium—Peat pellets pellets pellet after soaking in water ( This one has a plant growing in it already.)

Monitor the germination conditions Seeds must be kept moist, but not wet. Germinating seeds prefer a moderately warm uniform temperature. Ensure that all seeds are germinated under identical conditions. Avoid direct sunlight.

Observe and record Detailed and carefully recorded observations are essential to completing a successful experiment. Observations will be recorded daily (except weekends) by a couple of our students.

Class Observations Your recording sheet will be similar to this. Day NumberTimeTemperatureObservations/Notes 09:50am20 CPlanted seeds. Peat pellets were watered 20 mins before planting.

Class Observation Charts

What do I do today?

It is easy to plant your seeds. You will receive – a cup labeled G or W with moist peat pellet – a seed – a toothpick Do this. – Use fingers to place the seed on the peat pellet – Use the toothpick to push down the seed to a depth of about 0.7cm (the WIDTH of a pencil) You will repeat this when you receive another cup and seed. Any questions?