Example Scenario
One way to kick off the Tomatosphere™ Seed Investigation is by presenting students with a fictional scenario that provides an explanation as to why some tomato seeds might have been exposed to space or space-like conditions.
Tomato Trouble
A spaceship is going to Mars.
Inside the spaceship are astronauts.
The spaceship carries important supplies in bins.
The bins are on the outside of the spaceship.
Suddenly an alarm rings!
There is a problem with one of the bins.
The astronauts go outside to find out what is wrong.
One of the bins has a small hole in it.
Oh no! That bin has the tomato seeds inside!
The astronauts were going to plant the tomato seeds when they got to Mars.
The astronauts fix the hole in the bin.
There may still be a problem.
The tomato seeds got very cold and had no air!
The astronauts now wonder how well the seeds will grow when they get to Mars.
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Scenario Storyboard
Use the ready-made Scenario Storyboard and have students create illustrations to accompany the storyboard text.
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Templates
The Tomatosphere™ Seed Investigation provides many opportunities for students to develop inquiry skills. Below are some quick links to ready-to-use templates that students can use when they participate in the Seed Investigation. They are organized by skill.
Planning
- Seed Investigation - Planning Steps Organizer (pdf)
- Seed Investigation - 5Ws and an H Inquiry Planning (pdf)
Predicting
Observing
- Seed Investigation - Q+Q Observations (pdf)
- Seed Investigation - What is the Same? What is Different? (pdf)
- Observation Pass with Words and Pictures (pdf)
Using Appropriate Vocabulary
- Seed Investigation: Key Concept Exploration - Germination (pdf)
- Vocabulary Evolution - Tomato Plant Life Cycle (pdf)
Displaying Data
- Seed Investigation: Daily Germination Table (pdf)
- Seed Investigation: Germination by Seed Type Bar Graph (pdf)
Recording
- Sequence Organizer - Tomato Life Cycle (pdf)
- Sequence Organizer - Tomato Life Cycle - Answer Key (pdf)
Concluding
Extend the Investigation
Suggested Investigation Questions
- How does the amount of water affect plant growth?
- How does the duration of light affect plant growth?
- How does the colour of light affect plant growth?
- How do different types of light (e.g., natural light, fluorescent light bulbs, black light, etc.) affect plant growth?
- How does the type of growing medium (e.g., soil) affect plant growth?
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