Out of This World Basil Plants

This inquiry-based lesson on plant growth allows students to hypothesize outcomes based on documented variables.
First, the teacher leads a discussion as to possible variables to eliminate when identifying the differences between seeds flown in space and seeds not flown in space. Students will use graphic organizers on the Smart board, and the teacher will print off the results for the students to place in their Science Notebooks. As homework, students will research temperature varients,pressure changes, and other variables that might have effected the seeds in flight. Each student will plant two seeds from both the experimental group and the control group. Each student will place his/her seeds in individualized trays within a pellet windowsill container. Students will document notes and ideas in a Science Notebook. Using a spreadsheet, students will record growth results from both plant test groups. These measurements will be made using classroom rulers. Pictures of weekly progress will be made using digital cameras. Podcasts would allow all students to record thoughts and explain results, especially students with special needs that could more easily record results via this manner. The completed classroom project will help create a culminating book of classroom research to be shared at the school's Family Night celebration along with a powerpoint presentation. This book would include photos of the project, a compiled spreadsheet of data results, and a class powerpoint presentation including steps of the process.