Light Plants and Dark Plants, Wet Plants and Dry Ones - Activity

Materials List: Light Plants and Dark Plants, Wet Plants and Dry Ones

20 quarts (~22 liters) of good quality potting soil
(optional) shallow plastic bins in which to place the potting soil for easier access
sunflower seeds, enough for 2 per student plus 6 extras
20-oz disposable plastic drink cups, 2 per student plus 6 extras; punch holes in the cup bottoms in advance, as described in the Procedure section
knife or scissors, to punch drainage holes in the cups
permanent-ink marker
water
plastic trays, enough to hold all the plastic cups
1" stacking cubes (Unifix cubes), 100 or more
several liquid measuring cups with spouts
several medium scoops, ~1 cup volume
1" grid paper, 3 sheets per student (1 for data graph, 1 for post-activity assessment graph, 1 cut up into squares)
Drawing Handout, 1 per student
data sheet, 2 per student (= 1 per plant); prepare in advance as described in the Procedure section
data sheet, 1 per student, for a post-activity assessment activity