OPPapers.com

Silanty

Lesson Plan 12

Salt and germination
Brief description
This fascinating, cheap and very reliable experiment clearly demonstrates the damaging effects of salinity (salt) on seed germination. Mung beans are germinated on paper towels in takeaway containers using various concentrations of salt water. The activity captivates student interest and results are clearly visible within three days. Use it as part of a unit on plants or Australia’s salinity crisis.
* Readily available from supermarkets and health food stores

Duration: Year level: Topics: Preparation: Extensions:

80 - 145 minutes (total over 3 to 7 days) Lower to upper primary Plants, germination, salinity 10 to 20 minutes SOSE: Investigate Australia’s salinity crisis

Overview
SESSION 1: DISCUSSION AND PREPARATION Introduce the experiment Discuss procedure Prepare salt solutions Distribute materials and prepare Petrie dishes Add mung beans to Petrie dishes and store in cool location OBSERVATION SESSIONS (over 3 to 7 days) Record the number of beans that have sprouted Record any other observations that can be made CONCLUDING SESSION Record the number of beans that have sprouted Record any other observations that can be made Analyse the and present the results using age appropriate instruments (eg tables, graphs, posters) (20 – 30min) (10 – 15min) (50 – 70min)

Lesson 12 – Germination Experiment Page 1
© 2006 | ABC Science Online

Materials and equipment
Qty / Student
201 12 2 1 1 1 13 1 1 1 1 1 1
1

Description
Mung beans (dry) Round takeaway container (lid optional) Paper towels Cling wrap (~ 15 cm piece) Rubber band Packet of salt Distilled water for salt solutions Measuring jug or beaker Plastic cup Eyedropper for adding salt solution Kitchen scales for measuring salt Tweezers (shared) Magnifying glass (shared)

One 500 gram packet of dry beans is sufficient for the whole class – available from health food stores and some supermarkets 2 Small and large containers are suitable 3...