Third grade students in Atkins Elementary are learning about germination, the process of a seed turning into a seedling or baby plant. We explored the parts of a seed and many of us were shocked that we eat seeds quite often, like in rice, beans, popcorn, and trial mix. Students learned the three main parts of a seed are the seed coat which is the outer covering that covers and protects the seed until it begins to grow; the cotyledon or endosperm which the seed uses for food until it is above ground and can use photosynthesis for food; and the embryo which will become the seedling.
Students carried out a five-day experiment where they “planted” their own seed in a wet paper towel. Then they put that towel in a clear sack and put it in the sunlight. Students then checked on their seed each day to record the characteristics of their seed, how it was changing, and drew and wrote about their observations. Third graders learned that a seed knows the direction for the roots to grow by gravity and direction for the embryo to grow as it reacts to light. Students also learned that a seed is dormant, or asleep, until the conditions are right in the environment for them to grow. These conditions are light (or warm temperatures), water, air, and a seed that is ready to germinate.
They were very excited to check on their plant each day and some of them were amazed with the amount of roots they saw beginning to grow. They also were intrigued by the little plant that was just beginning to sprout. Many students took their seed home to plant. This way they could continue to watch them turn from a seed to a seedling.