Kidney Beans Science Projects
Kidney beans are an excellent source of molybdenum, folate, manganese and dietary fiber, which helps ward off heart disease. They can also be the source for several science projects to teach students about seed structure, germination and other factors that affect the growth of these important, protein-rich plants. All you need are potting soil and small containers to get started.
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Germination Rates
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Sort a bag of kidney beans into small, medium and large sizes. Plant four small beans, four medium beans, and four large beans into three different cups filled with potting soil. Label the containers according to the size of the beans. Record measurements at one-week intervals to determine whether the size of the seed has any effect on how quickly the bean plant grows.
Unseasonal Sprouts
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Place three groups of kidney beans into containers filled with potting soil during the winter. One set should be exposed to as much warmth and sunlight as possible. The second set should be partially shaded and in a moderately warm area. Put the third set in a dark, colder place. Show the results at the science fair, along with records that show how long it took the plants to sprout in each environment.
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Upside Down
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Plant kidney beans in four containers. Use a plastic cover with holes punched in it on two of the containers. Hang them upside down. Place the other two containers upright, near the upside-down containers. See if their orientation has any effect on germination and growth rates.
Seed Dissection
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Soak a kidney bean in water overnight. Peel away the seed cover. Identify the main parts: embryo, cotyledon, endosperm and seed coat. Draw an explanation of the functions of each part on a large piece of poster board. Take a microscope to the science fair so people can examine the seeds more closely.
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References
- Photo Credit kidney beans image by cherie from Fotolia.com
