Spotlite Design Challenge: Can Plants Dance?
Sponsored by Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.
Follow these steps to think and act like scientists as you dig through data and experiment to support a claim that confronts a misconception.
- Select one of the MISCONCEPTIONS and its related CLAIM to investigate.
- Do your own RESEARCH by conducting investigations to gather data and collect evidence to support your claim.
- Review the Criteria for the Spotlite video.
- Create the Spotlite video.
Identify the problem: As botanists, your challenge is to gather and share evidence to confront the misconception that plants can’t move. Create a video that captures your questions and findings.
A common misconception about plants is that they don't move. While it is true that many plants are rooted in place and don't move from one location to another, they do have a way of responding to their environment and moving in their own way.
MISCONCEPTION: Plants can’t move.
CLAIM 1: Some plants move in response to light.
Demonstration and Experimentation Ideas
Activity
- Science Friday: Track a Plant’s Movement
- NASA: How do Plants Know Which Way to Grow?
- Plants on the Move! Experiments with Phototropism
CLAIM 2: Gravity influences some plants' movement.
Demonstration and Experimentation Ideas
Activity
CLAIM 3: Some plants move toward water.
Demonstration and Experimentation Ideas
Activity
NASA cares about the safety of all learners!
Safety is important anytime you conduct a science investigation. Common sense guidelines should govern all work.
- Keep all workspaces neat and organized.
- Wear appropriate personal protective equipment, such as closed-toed shoes.
- Follow directions and ask for clarification.