How do we know that plants and trees need light, water and soil? - Presentation

The necessity for plants and trees to have light, water, and soil for healthy growth is a fundamental concept in biology, and understanding how we know this involves scientific investigation. This educational unit, designed for children, encourages them to work scientifically by conducting 'fair tests'. A fair test, as explained with resources such as BBC Bitesize, is an experiment where all variables remain constant except for the one being tested. Teachers guide students to clarify what a fair test entails and then task them with setting up their own experiments in small groups. The objective is to isolate a single variable—either light, water, or soil—and observe the effects on plant growth, thereby understanding the role each component plays. Students are encouraged to think metacognitively and document their findings, using provided sheets to plan, conduct, and evaluate their investigations.

During the planning stage, students clarify the investigation's purpose, identify challenges, and ensure they have the necessary resources. In the doing stage, they implement their ideas, considering and possibly integrating suggestions from group members. The evaluative stage involves reflection on the investigation's success, changes for future experiments, and the lessons learned that can be applied to other scientific inquiries. These stages help students to develop a deeper understanding of the scientific process and the essential needs of plants and trees. To support their learning, they are encouraged to use graphs or diagrams, which can visually represent the impact of light, water, and soil on plant growth, thereby reinforcing the concepts being studied.