Description:

1. Description: Planting Corn and Legumes: Later in this unit students will examine genetic biodiversity and test for photosynthesis using corn plants and test for nitrogen fixation using legumes in a series of labs. This lesson is focused around setting up the terrariums for the plants. Goals: Design a terrarium for plant study.

2. Objectives: Day 0 Design a terrarium for growing corn and legume plants.

3. Warm-Up Q = • Read instructions and come up with a design for your terrariums. A = • none

4. Designing your Terrarium • You will be designing terrariums and keeping track of the growth of your corn and legume plants you plant. • While designing your terrarium bottles consider the following: • Ease of accessing the plants • How will the plants gain access to water (group watering as needed, water well and wick, etc.) • You will have access to recommendations and ideas from www.BottleBiology.org

5. Unit Group • Groups will be working on various assignments through this unit – mainly on labs and maintaining your plants. In your group: • Determine which design your group will use. • Develop a list of materials and steps to create this terrarium. • After getting instructor approval gather materials and begin construction of terrarium.

6. Planting • Now that you have designed your terrariums you need to add your plants, soil and water. • The design of your terrarium or “AquaTerra” will determine how water is added. • To plant your corn and legumes you will need to: • Add soil (at least 7-10cm) • Use you thumb to make a about 2cm depression in the soil • Place a seed in the depression and cover with soil • Add some water to the soil to begin germination. • Follow instructions for clean-up and where to put your projects.

7. Objectives: Day 0 Make terrariums for corn and legume plants to be used later this unit.