Elementary School Science Experiments With Seeds

Hands-on activities and experiments provide effective ways of getting students excited about what they are learning. In science classes, students are required to learn about a variety of concepts, including plant growth. Elementary school students can explore plant growth by performing one or more experiments involving seeds.

Depth

This experiment examines the effects of planting seeds at various depths. Choose a type of seed to plant, such as a bean seed. Fill three to four different containers with the same type of soil. Plant a seed in each container at various depths. For instance, you might plant one seed at one-fourth of an inch, one at half an inch, one at one inch, and one at two inches deep. Provide the same environment for all of your plants, including factors such as sunlight, temperature, and water. Chart the progress for each plant for a certain period of time (perhaps a month or so) and give your final results at the end of the project.

Watering

This experiment examines how different types of water can affect seed growth. Prepare three containers with the same type of soil and seeds (planted at the same depth). Expose the plants to the same amount of sunlight and the same temperature. The only difference between the plants will be what you use when watering them. Use tap water on one plant, distilled water on one, and seltzer water on the other. Observe and chart the plants' growth over several weeks up to a couple of months and state a conclusion as to how the type of water has affected each plant's growth.

Seed Proximity

This experiment allows students to explore the effects of overpopulation on seed growth. In order to prepare this experiment, fill containers with potting soil. In one container, plant two tomato seeds approximately 12 inches apart. In another container, plant eight tomato seeds in a circular area about 12 inches in diameter. In the third container, plant 30 tomato seeds in a circular area that is about 12 inches wide as well. Observe the plants and record data as they grow. Report on how the sparseness or density of the seeds' placement affected their growth.

References

• All Science Fair Projects: Seeds