Bonus Projects

garlic

You may do one of the following mini-projects to add to your mark in the plant unit. Presentation of the project is your choice, although there may not be time for an oral presentation.

• May 13: Set up germination lab- Procedure A (small groups) and B (whole class)
• May 17: Complete notes and activities on Structure and Function
• May 22- 24: Plant reproduction
• May 24: Germination lab due: Test on Plant Structure, Function and Reproduction.
• May 27 - 30: Plant processes
• May 31: Video day
• June 3-4: Soils
• June 5-7: Plants and People
• June 10: Catch-up day
• June 11: Unit test: Notebook due for marking

• What is it? Prepare a report about an organic farmer. How is food produced without chemical fertilizers or pesticides?

• organic production
• what is organic food?
• organic growers directory
• organic vegetable producers

Plant to Product (page 143-148)

• Use a computer program (e.g. Inspiration) to show the steps involved in changing a plant (e.g. trees) into a product (e.g. lumber).

Genetically modified food

• Find out what genetically modified food is. There is great controversy about humans eating food that has been genetically changed. Why is this a problem? Give some examples of the good and bad features of genetically modified plants.

• poison or progress
• genetic engineering techniques
• what's wrong with genetic engineering

Alberta Crops

• Research a crop that is grown in Alberta. Include information aobut where the crop is grown, why it is the best choice and the overall economic importance of this crop.
• hemp in Alberta
• Alberta crops

• Use the directions on page 96 of your text book to make paper for a letter. Write out your procedure and discuss any problems and successes that you had. What were the variables that you used? Hand this in with a sample of your paper.

Design a plant (page 112)

• Use your knowledge of plant structure and adaptation and your understanding of human needs for plants to design a plant. Your plant must be able to help human population living in either a dry alpine environment, a desert, a temperate forest where winters are long and cold, or a tropical rain forest. Your presentation should include other adaptations such as how long your plant lives, any special relationships it may have with insects or other animals or any other characteristics of your plant.
• Draw a labelled diagram of your design.
• Make a model.

Make your own Greenhouse

How does the growth of seeds differ from the experiment you did at the beginning of this unit?

What are the benefits and problems with growing plants in greenhouses?

Materials that you will need:
1. A large glass jar that you can slide your hand into easily. The jar must also have a lid.
2. Potting soil.
3. Pea seeds--one or two will be enough
4. Water
5. Ruler
6. Measuring cup
7. A place with direct sunlight
8. Plant growth log sheet

Directions:
1. Have an adult puncture (put holes in) several holes in the lid.
2. Wash the jar thoroughly in warm or hot water.
3. Place approximately 1 cup of potting soil into the jar
4. Place 1 or 2 pea seeds about half way into the soil in the jar.
5. Add ¼ cup of water and replace the lid.
6. In your log enter the today's date.
7. From this point on, only water the peas 1/8 of a cup of water and set in direct sunlight.
8. Each day make a new entry in your log, writing down what you see. You probably won't see any changes for a
few days, but it is important to keep the growth log up to date.
9. When you first see the seeds sprouting, place the ruler on the outside of the jar and measure how tall the plant
is. Do this everyday until the plant reaches the lid.