Discovering in K1 - Apollo the Scientist

by Rekha Jensen

Today Apollo was a scientist. He started conducting a seed experiment at home and wanted to continue it at school. This afternoon a small group of interested fellow scientists listened as Apollo presented his experiment. After showing his peers what he had done Rosie remarked, “We need to make a hole so they can breathe. If you don’t make a hole they can’t breathe.” To this Apollo replied that he wanted to plant his seeds because, “…plants are pretty smart, so they know when they’re in the soil so they don’t sprout.” Alice explained to Apollo she too had been conducting her own seed growing experiment. She said her experiment had required her to place her seeds (in gel) in a dark place, which she was sceptical about and said to him it didn’t work out well. Apollo agreed and suggested that next time she use a green house. Apollo then exclaimed, “ We have to put them in a sunny greenhouse!”

The group went to our recycling area in search of a greenhouse. It was evident there was a misconception about what a greenhouse was, because the children chose a green box to make into a greenhouse. Mrs Jensen then showed the children photos of real greenhouses around the world. The commonality Alice noticed was the glass (transparency) of a greenhouse.

Apollo suggested the group cut the sides of the box. Gursehaj wanted to fix glass in the sides. As a group the children went in search of glass in the recycling area and found…a clear plastic box. However, they still had a problem…they couldn’t find a lid they like. All the children mentioned they needed space so the plants would could without knocking on to a lid. Mark came to the rescue when he provided the group with a clear plastic box, which Apollo agreed provided a good space to grow.

Apollo and Alice secured the lid, while Gursehaj, Rosie and Mark searched for soil.

The seeds had an “odor” according to Apollo, but that didn’t stop our scientists from planting the seeds. 

Gursehaj, Mark and Rosie took turns to add the soil when Rosie suddenly became very excited, “Yay, the worm will make it grow with pee and poo!” They had found a worm in their soil and were now confident their seeds would continue to thrive. Alice noted that when placing the seeds in soil to place them away from each other…” We need to keep them separated otherwise they would grow too big.” Mark then provided water for the seeds. The scientists then placed the ‘greenhouse’ on the window sill for the sun to help the seeds grow. I wonder what will grow!