- Use Tomatosphere™ to develop key cross-curricular concepts and skills of inquiry
- Extend student learning beyond the Seed Investigation
Conducting the Seed Investigation
Seed Investigation - Step-by-step Guide
Example Scenario
One way to kick off the Tomatosphere™ Seed Investigation is by presenting students with a fictional scenario that provides an explanation as to why some tomato seeds might have been exposed to space or space-like conditions.
Use this ready-made Scenario Storyboard and have students create illustrations to accompany the storyboard text.
Tomato Trouble
Flesch-Kincaid reading ease score = 87.2, reading level = grade 5
A spaceship is going to Mars.
Inside the spaceship are astronauts.
The spaceship carries important supplies in bins.
The bins are on the outside of the spaceship.
Suddenly an alarm rings!
Full Scenario:
pdf
doc
Templates
The Tomatosphere™ Seed Investigation provides many opportunities for students to develop inquiry skills. Below are some quick links to ready-to-use templates that students can use when they participate in the Seed Investigation. More templates, as well as Learning Strategies and Skill Look-Fors can be found in the Inquiry Section.
Skill: Planning
Skill: Predicting
Skill: Observing
Skill: Using Appropriate Vocabulary
Skill: Displaying Data
Skill: Recording
Skill: Concluding
Extending the Seed Investigation
Inquiry Guide
Suggested Questions for Investigation with Tomatosphere™ Plants
- How does the amount of water affect plant growth?
- How does the duration of light affect plant growth?
- How does the colour of light affect plant growth?
- How do different types of light (e.g., natural light, fluorescent light bulbs, black light, etc.) affect plant growth?
- How does the type of growing medium (e.g., soil) affect plant growth?
Reinforcing Key Concepts
Teacher Resources
Educator Resources
Educator Resources
Backgrounder
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External Resources
For Educators
For Students