Tomatosphere™ Workshop: Setting-up the Seed Investigation
Participants examine the effects of he space environment on the germination of tomato seeds.
Tomatosphere™ uses the excitement of space exploration as a way to teach the skills and processes of scientific inquiry. In the Seed Investigation, participants examine the effects of the space environment on the germination of tomato seeds. The Tomatosphere™ Seed Investigation involves planting two sets of tomato seeds (one exposed to space or space-like conditions and the other untreated), examining and recording the germination of seeds, and submitting the results.
What You Need
Physical Requirements
- Large classroom with a demonstration area at the front.
- Access to water.
- A place for the planted seeds that provides the best available conditions for germination.
- Warm environment for seed germination (sunlight not required during this phase).
- Access to sunlight for seedlings if planning further inquiry. Newspaper acts as a good insulator between the pots and the window during cold nights.
- Access to a computer and projector to show students of examples of germinated seeds on the Tomatosphere™ website.
Introduction
- Tomatosphere™ Storyboard handout (1 per participant, optional)
Activity 1: Seeds and Germination
- ½ to ¼ of a tomato (1 piece per group, optional)
- Key Concept Exploration - Germination handout (1 per student, optional)
Activity 2: Scientific Inquiry and a Fair Test
- Predict-Share-Compare Seed Investigation Question handout (1 per student)
Activity 3: Setting-up the Seed Investigation
- Tomatosphere™ seed packages (2, supplied by educator)
- Planting containers with lids (50-60) or two large seeding trays
- Peat pellets (50-60) or enough potting soil for 50-60 small pots
- Watering pots/cans
- Masking tape
- Waterproof marker
- Paper plates
- Daily Germination Table (2 per student, optional)
Guide:
What To Do
Activity Prep
- Print all required handouts.
- Soak the seed pellets with warm water at the start of the workshop (approx. 40 minutes before planting/Activity 3: Setting-up the Seed Investigation).
Introduction
- Present the scenario:
- There was an accident on the spaceship heading to Mars that caused the tomato seeds to be exposed to the conditions in space. Will the seeds still grow?
- Optional: complete the Tomatosphere™ Storyboard.
Activity 1: Seeds and Germination
- Review the needs of living things and have participants discuss why astronauts would want to bring seeds into space. Mention that space is cold and that there is little air.
- Explain the terms dormant, testa and germinate.
- Discuss the lifespan of different types of seeds.
- Optional: complete the Key Concept Exploration- Germination handout.
- Optional: distribute ½ to ¼ of a tomato to each group. Allow the participants to explore the tomato to find and examine the seeds, and describe the seeds quantitatively (number, size) and qualitatively (colour, shape).
- Review what seeds need to germinate (water, oxygen and warmth)
- Note: tomato seeds do not need soil, but seedlings do!
- Explain the process of germination, using the terms embryonic plant, radicle and cotyledons.
- Optional: explore pictures of germinated seeds on the Tomatosphere™ website.
- Introduce the focus question: How does exposure to the space environment affect the number of tomato seeds that germinate?
Activity 2: Scientific Inquiry and a Fair Test
- Arrange participants into groups of two.
- Explain the concept of a controlled experiment or fair test.
- Distinguish between a prediction and a guess.
- They will work independently to complete the “What do I predict?” section of the Predict-Share-Compare Seed Investigation Question handout.
- They will work in pairs to compare their predictions and complete the “What does my partner predict?” section.
- Have the groups share their predictions with the class and complete the “What does my class predict?” section of their handout.
- Optional: write the table listed below on the classroom board and tally the votes for each prediction.
Number of Students The same number of seeds exposed to space-like conditions will germinate compared to the untreated seeds. More seeds exposed to space-like conditions will germinate compared to the untreated seeds. Less seeds exposed to space-like conditions will germinate compared to untreated seeds. Seeds exposed to space-like conditions will not germinate. Other predictions.
Activity 3: Setting-up the Seed Investigation
- Each packet of seeds has a letter code, which will be used to label the seed trays. It is important to keep the two sets of seeds separate and not know which set are the “space seeds”.
- Show the difference between a dehydrated peat pellet and a hydrated pet pellet,
- Have the participants carefully label the trays or pots.
- Carefully shake the packets of seeds onto the appropriately labelled plates.
- Demonstrate how to plant the seeds by using your finger to transfer a single seed to a peat pellet.
- They will take turns planting each seed.
- Cover each tray with a clear plastic lid.
- Transfer the labelled trays to where they will stay while germinating.
- Provide instructions for taking care of the seeds.
- Give both sets of seeds the same amount of water, at the same time.
- Keep both sets of seeds in the same place.
- Ensure that both sets of seeds get the same amount of sunlight.
- They will record how many seeds germinate each day for 2-3 weeks or until 5 days after the last seed germinates.
- Give each participant two copies of the Daily Germination Table (1 per letter code). They will write down their observations for Day #1.
Wrap-Up
- Explain that their educator will submit the results online and then they will find out which seeds were the space-seeds. This investigation is occurring all across Canada to help scientists understand how to help people travel to, and live on, Mars!
- Discuss possible careers related to the topics covered and what they would need to do (schooling, experience, etc…) to get into those careers.
Discovery
Every tomato seed contains a tiny tomato plant in the earliest stage of development (embryonic plant) that is alive but dormant. Dormant refers to a period of reduced activity that conserves energy in a living thing. Each seed is surrounded by a shell called a testa (seed coat), which protects it while it is dormant. Tomato seeds will stay dormant until the environment has all the conditions such as water, oxygen and warmth needed to grow (germination). The embryonic plant has an embryonic root called a radicle and one or two embryonic leaves called cotyledons. The plant has germinated when the two cotyledons are visible.
When compared to Earth, there is very little oxygen in space and it is very cold. The purpose of the experiment is to investigate the effect that exposure to the space environment has on the number of tomato seeds that germinate. Over the course of a few weeks, participants will monitor and record data on the two sets of tomato plants (test and control). The data will be submitted to the Tomatosphere™ website, where they will find out which seeds were sent to space and whether their predictions were correct!
As humans seek ways to travel deeper into space, we must discover ways to expand life-support systems. One possible solution is a plant-based system. Tomato plants are an ideal choice as they provide wholesome nourishment and water through transpiration from their leaves. Through photosynthesis, tomato plants also convert light energy and carbon dioxide exhaled by astronauts into oxygen that is needed for survival.
- Depending on the educator’s preference, you can either help students make a recording table on a blackboard or white board, or distribute the 2 copies Daily Germination Table per student found (1 copy for each letter code).
- Atmospheric Conditions on Mars is an additional exercise with the purpose of fostering a discussion on the climatic conditions on Earth, Mars and in space. Refer to the appendices of the Tomatosphere™ workshop: Setting-up the Seed Investigation manual for instructions or visit the Tomatosphere™ website for more information.
- The Life Cycle of a Tomato Plant (Backgrounders) provides information about the pollination, fertilization, germination and growth of tomato plants.
- For additional resources including detailed backgrounders and additional inquiries, explore the Tomatosphere™ website.
What's Happening?
Every tomato seed contains a tiny tomato plant in the earliest stage of development (embryonic plant) that is alive but dormant. Dormant refers to a period of reduced activity that conserves energy in a living thing. Each seed is surrounded by a shell called a testa (seed coat), which protects it while it is dormant. Tomato seeds will stay dormant until the environment has all the conditions such as water, oxygen and warmth needed to grow (germination). The embryonic plant has an embryonic root called a radicle and one or two embryonic leaves called cotyledons. The plant has germinated when the two cotyledons are visible.
When compared to Earth, there is very little oxygen in space and it is very cold. The purpose of the experiment is to investigate the effect that exposure to the space environment has on the number of tomato seeds that germinate. Over the course of a few weeks, participants will monitor and record data on the two sets of tomato plants (test and control). The data will be submitted to the Tomatosphere™ website, where they will find out which seeds were sent to space and whether their predictions were correct!
Why Does it Matter?
As humans seek ways to travel deeper into space, we must discover ways to expand life-support systems. One possible solution is a plant-based system. Tomato plants are an ideal choice as they provide wholesome nourishment and water through transpiration from their leaves. Through photosynthesis, tomato plants also convert light energy and carbon dioxide exhaled by astronauts into oxygen that is needed for survival.
Investigate Further
- Depending on the educator’s preference, you can either help students make a recording table on a blackboard or white board, or distribute the 2 copies Daily Germination Table per student found (1 copy for each letter code).
- Atmospheric Conditions on Mars is an additional exercise with the purpose of fostering a discussion on the climatic conditions on Earth, Mars and in space. Refer to the appendices of the Tomatosphere™ workshop: Setting-up the Seed Investigation manual for instructions or visit the Tomatosphere™ website for more information.
- The Life Cycle of a Tomato Plant (Backgrounders) provides information about the pollination, fertilization, germination and growth of tomato plants.
- For additional resources including detailed backgrounders and additional inquiries, explore the Tomatosphere™ website.