Cycles: From Rot to Radishes

Students observe soil samples, talk about where soil nutrients come from, receive a letter from a company that wants to know if dead plants can be used as fertilizer, then develop research questions.

Students work in groups to design a fair test that will yield information for GROW, then review each others plans and decide on a final design.

Students set up experiments to test the effects of compost tea on plant growth, learn about plant development, then monitor their experiments for 3-5 weeks.

Students prepare for and do an outdoor investigation of soil in areas where plants and other landscape feature differ, then use their findings to think about plant and soil connections.

Students work in groups to rank four sites according to their suitability for planting shrubs, then independently complete a diagram showing a nutrient cycle for the preferred site.

Students make and process final observations of their plants, graphs and discuss their data in groups, compile the whole class data, discuss conclusions, then write letters to GROW.

Students complete their work for GROW by working in groups to create advertisements that teach the public about nutrient cycling, and GROW's research and products

Students recommend who GROW should hire as a scientist after reviewing three job applications.