Purpose
To create a miniature greenhouse to grow living plants.
Additional information
Greenhouses are structures with glass or plastic enclosures (roofs and walls) and are mostly used to grow vegetables, fruits, plants, flowers, and tobacco. Greenhouses protect crops from too much heat or cold and shield their inhabitants from storms and harsh weather. They also help keep out damaging pests. Some areas of the world rely on greenhouses as their means of survival, especially those living in harsh landscapes such as deserts and arctic wastes.
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Required materials
- Clear plastic bottle (such as a large empty soda bottle)
- Planting soil
- Small plant or seedling
- Wide tape
- Scissors
- Water
Estimated Experiment Time
Several days.
Step-By-Step Procedure
- 1. Wash the bottle thoroughly so that it's clean. Don't worry if it's still wet inside.
- 2. Cut the bottle in half
- 3. Take the bottom part of the bottle and fill it half-way with the planting soil.
- 4. Plant the seedling or small plant in the soil, making sure to cover all the roots.
- 5. Place the top half of the bottle back on to the bottom half and use the tape to seal them together, making sure it's air tight and there's no leaks.
- 6. Put a few drops of water into the bottle. Place the cap back on.
- 7. Place your mini greenhouse near a window where it will get plenty of sun and leave it there.
- 8. After a few days you will notice the bottle "sweating". If the bottle gets too moist, open the cap and let it dry out for a while.
Note
It's important to use a clean bottle, free of any residue. It may be easier to clean the bottle once it's already been cut in half. Ask for an adults help if you don't have safety scissors or you find cutting the bottle to be difficult (it can be tricky to get the first cut going).
Observation
What do you think is happening inside the greenhouse that would cause it to "sweat"? Observe your plant at least once a day and note it's growth. After a week, has your plant started to grow? What do you think is the key element in the plant's growth?
Result
The sun causes the temperature inside the greenhouse to rise. Because the lid is sealed the air inside stars heated, even when air outside the greenhouse cools down. This means the air inside turns to water the feeds the plant and keeps it alive.
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