Hooked on Science: Garden in a sandwich bag

Observe the life cycle of seeds by starting them off in a sandwich bag.

Materials

* Three bean seeds

* Paper towel

* Water

* One zip-top sandwich bag

* Soil

* Flower pot

Instructions

STEP 1: Add enough water to the paper towel so it is damp.

STEP 2: Fold the paper towel so it fits inside of the zip-top sandwich bag.

STEP 3: Place the paper towel inside the sandwich bag.

STEP 4: Place the seeds on top of the wet paper towel.

STEP 5: Close the sandwich bag, tape the bag to a window, wait one week and observe.

STEP 6: Record the growth of the seedlings over the next week. At the end of the week, plant the seedlings in the flower pot with soil. Observe the seedlings mature into young plants then to adult plants. Draw the life cycle of a bean plant.

Explanation

In about a week, with the right amount of moisture and heat, the bean seeds will sprout or germinate in the sandwich bag. Soil prevents us from observing this process. Once the seedlings are transplanted into the soil and with the right amount of sunlight and water, they will grow. Your bean plant will go through a series of changes, called a life cycle. Seeds will grow into seedlings. Seedlings will then grow into young plants and eventually into adult plants.

Jason Lindsey is a science outreach educator with Hooked on Science. Check out his websitehookedonscience.org for webcasts and experiments.