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Education

GERMINATION SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

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The Educator’s Spin On It - By Amanda Boyarshinov Posted Mar 24, 2019

In this twist on the classic germination science experiment, children will test the germination rate of 10 green bean seeds. From making predictions to collecting data, your little scientists will learn all about seeds and how plants grow.

Let’s get started with this germination of seeds activity! 

MATERIALS NEEDED FOR GERMINATION SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

DIRECTIONS FOR GERMINATION SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

Prior to the germination science experiment read seed books and talk about seeds.


Introduce the word GERMINATION.  Germination is when the seed begins to grow a root and a shoot. This experiment will allow children to see how and how many seeds germinate.  The plastic bag acts as a window into the world of plant growth!

  1. Fold the paper towel so it will fit neatly inside the plastic bag.
  2. Using a black permanent marker, draw a 10 frame on the bag.
  3. Fill the spray bottle with water and let children mist the paper towel until it is completely moist.
  4. Place the wet paper towel in the bag.
  5. Have the children place one been seed in each compartment in the 10 frame.
  6. Close the bag and set flat near window or other sunny area. (the bag can be taped to a window, but the seeds do not stay in the 10 frame well!)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR GERMINATION SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

Do you think that all 10 bean seeds will germinate? Explain your answer.

MATH CONNECTIONS:

  • Write a prediction on how many bean seeds you believe will germinate.  You many guess numbers between 0 and 10. After plants have germinated check your predictions.  Discuss the results.
  • Can you figure out the percentage or germination rate of your bean seeds?  Take the number of bean seeds in your bag that germinated.  Use a calculator and times that number by 10.  If 8 seeds germinated, you would take 8 x 10 = 80.  Your seeds would have an 80% germination rate.

Why do you think knowing a seeds germination rate would be helpful to a farmer?

NOTE: Bean seeds germinated in this way “may” grow if you place them in a soil garden area shortly after germination begins. Often teachers will allow the bean plants to continue growing until leaves form so that students can see the plants growing.

GERMINATION SCIENCE EXPERIMENT VOCABULARY

Germination:  when the seed begins to grow a root and a shoot.

Root:  Part of the plant beneath the soil that absorbs water and nutrients.

Sprout: the beginning growth of a plant

Sprouting: the practice of germinating seeds

We all know that plants need water, sun, and soil to grow. In this science experiment, kids will grow a bean maze to truly “see” how plants will seek out what they need.

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GMO's

In Blow to Monsanto, India’s Top Court Upholds Decision That Seeds Cannot Be Patented

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In an another legal blow to Monsanto, India’s Supreme Court on Monday refused to stay the Delhi High Court’s ruling that the seed giant cannot claim patents for Bollgard and Bollgard II, its genetically modified cotton seeds, in the country.

Monsanto’s chief technology officer Robert Fraley, who just announced that he and other top executives are stepping down from the company after Bayer AG’s multi-billion dollar takeover closes, lamented the news.

Fraley tweeted, “Having personally helped to launch Bollgard cotton in India & knowing how it has benefited farmers … it’s sad to see the country go down an anti-science/anti-IP/anti-innovation path…”

Monsanto first introduced its GM-technology in India in 1995. Today, more than 90 percent of the country’s cotton crop is genetically modified. These crops have been inserted with a pest-resistant toxin called Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt.

Citing India’s Patents Act of 1970, the Delhi High Court ruled last month that plant varieties and seeds cannot be patented, thereby rejecting Monsanto’s attempt to block its Indian licensee, Nuziveedu Seeds Ltd., from selling the seeds.

Because of the ruling, Monsanto’s claims against Nuziveedu for unpaid royalties have been waived, as its patents are now invalid under Indian law. Royalties will now be decided by the government.

Organic Farming, Seed

Seeds of Life: A Quiet Revolution is Underway at the Foothills of Niyamgiri, India (14 min)

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With help of local organisations, the Panga Kodhs have gone back to traditional, organic, mixed cropping methods. Even the forests are benefiting.

“I’m born of this soil. Putting poison in the soil is like poisoning one’s parents. Why would I harm myself like this?”, says Adi Kumurka. Kumurka belongs to the Panga Kondh indigenous community in Odisha’s Rayagada district. His community is engaged in mixed organic cropping from traditional seeds. This is the traditional way of farming that his community has practised since untold times. But there was a long gap in between when malnourishment and farmer suicides compelled these traditional farmers to migrate to faraway places to look for jobs. What changed?

Article: Seeds of Life: A Quiet Revolution

Video: Seeds of Life (14 min)

Education, Food Security

What is an integral and popular agrarian reform?

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Recently, I happened upon new publication published in mid-October by La Via Campesina, a global peasant and small farmers movement, entitled Struggles of La Via Campesina for Agrarian Reform and the Defense of Life, Land, and Territories.  The 29-page report analyzes the issues faced around the world in the context of food sovereignty and food production, and explains the need for an integrated’ agrarian reform within a global context. The document recognizes that models of reform cannot be “static,” must go beyond issues of land tenure and include fishers and the marine environment, and must include comprehensive policies that control profit-making related to food.

http://rabble.ca/columnists/2017/11/what-integral-and-popular-agrarian-reform

Agrarian Reform