Hooked on Science: Watching seeds grow

Using a few items from around the house, you can watch seeds grow.

Materials

* Paper towels

* Water

* Seeds

* Transparent cup

Instructions

STEP 1: Use a paper towel to line the inside of the cup.

STEP 2: Fill the inside of the cup by stuffing paper towels into the center of the cup.

STEP 3: Moisten the paper towels by pouring water over the paper towels stuffed inside the cup.

STEP 4: Place the seeds between the cup and the paper towel used to line the inside of the cup.

STEP 5: Place the seeds in a sunny spot. Add water as the paper towels dry. Watch daily as the seeds grow.

Explanation

No matter which direction the seed was planted, the roots will eventually grow downward. This is because of gravity. A plant's response to gravity is called gravitropism.

Jason Lindsey is a Science Outreach Educator with Hooked on Science. Check out his website "Hooked On Science" at hookedonscience.org for webcasts and experiments that might get you hooked on science. Send him your science questions at jlindsey@hookedonscience.org. More science experiments can be found at www.semissourian.com.