======Investigating Plant Growth======


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**Difficulty: **{{$demo.difficulty_description}}\\
**Safety: **{{$demo.safety_description}}\\
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**Alternative titles:** Seedling Growth Fair Test
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure====  
  - Gather identical seedlings (or seeds), pots with soil, labels, popsticks, marker, measuring jug, salt, water, and a dark cupboard or box.
  - Set four groups with 2 seedlings each: Control, No Water, No Light, Salt Water.
  - Keep everything the same for all groups except the one variable being tested.
  - Water Control on schedule; place in normal light.
  - Do not water No Water after initial planting.
  - Place No Light in darkness but water on the Control schedule.
  - Water Salt Water with a mild salt solution (about 1 teaspoon in 250 ml water) on the Control schedule.
  - Record height weekly and note color, wilting, or leaf changes.




====Links==== 
What Happened to Our Plants? | Science Project for Kids - SciShow Kids: 
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📄 Investigating plant growth - Primary Connections: [[https://primaryconnections.org.au/teaching-sequences/year-1/survive-and-thrive/lesson-2-investigating-plant-growth]]\\


====Variations====
  * Add a crowding group by planting many seedlings together.
  * Test weaker and stronger salt solutions.
  * Graph weekly class averages for each treatment.



====Safety Precautions====
  * Wash hands after handling soil and solutions; do not ingest.
  * Label salt solution clearly; avoid using near food areas.
  * Wipe spills promptly; use small water containers for students.
  * Bag and bin salty soil; do not return it to gardens.




====Questions to Consider====
  * Why is a control needed? (It shows normal growth for comparison.)
  * Which single factor changes in each treatment? (Water, light, or salinity.)
  * What signs show water stress? (Wilting, slowed growth.)
  * What happens without light? (Pale, weak growth; no photosynthesis.)
  * How does salt reduce growth? (It makes water uptake harder and damages cells.)