Even a kindergarten child knows that trees are green. But why is this the case? Where do leaves get their green color from, and why is it necessary? This experiment will explain it simply for children.
MATERIALS
- a big rock
- a patch of grass on the kindergarten courtyard
Instructions
Children select an observation spot on the courtyard with nice green grass. The teacher may take a photo of the chosen spot to compare results after a few days.
Children find a large rock and cover a patch of grass with it. If no rock is available, any non-transparent object, like a plate, can be used. After a few days, the children observe the changes under the rock.
Explanation: Covering the grass prevents light from reaching the plant. Without light, no new chlorophyll is produced, and the existing chlorophyll is not utilized, leading the plant to reduce its amount. The grass fades, turning light green, then yellow, and eventually dies.
Conclusion: Plants need light and chlorophyll to survive, as these are essential for producing food.
This post was created as part of a project co-financed by the Polish-American Freedom Foundation under the RITA program – Region in Transition, implemented by the Education for Democracy Foundation.