This section of the WebQuest describes the hands-on activity you will complete
for this project.
**You will need to begin this project early in the week since it takes seven
days to complete.**
**Science Safety Reminders:
1) Ask an adult for help and supervision with this activity.
2) Do not eat or drink anything associated with science lab projects.
3) Be very careful when using glass objects or sharp scissors or knives. It is
always a good idea to have an adult help when using knives or other sharp objects.
Nibblers
This activity will help you determine why grass can survive being nibbled by
animals.
Materials you will need:
Potting soil (small amount - 1/2 cup to 1 cup)
1 7-ounce paper cup
Trowel
Clump of grass
Pencil
Saucer
Tap water
Ruler
Marking pen (a Sharpie marker will work well for this activity)
Procedure:
1) Place the potting soil into the cup.
2) Ask an adult for permission to dig up a clump of grass. Do this using the
trowel. Select a clump of grass that has at least three stems and dig up as
many of the roots as possible.
3) Once you have a good clump of grass, plant it into the soil-filled cup.
4) Use your pencil to carefully poke three to four holes into the sides of the
cup near the bottom. This will allow the water to drain out.
5) Place the cup on a saucer. Use a small amount of water to moisten the soil.
You will need to remember to keep the soil moist, but not too wet, during the
week. Ask an adult to help you measure how much water to use.
6) Locate the nodes. These are the parts of the stem that the grass leaves
grow from. Once you have located the nodes, use the marking pen to draw lines
making three equal sections one of the stems between the top two nodes. Repeat
these markings on the other two stems of grass.
7) Place the plant in an area where it will receive plenty of sunshine. Leave
the plant for seven days but remember to check the soil and moisten as needed.
8) At the end of the seven days, use the ruler to measure the distance between
the marks on the stem.
Questions to think about:
*Look at the nodes, how did the distance between each node increase?
*Which distance increased most (which two nodes had the largest increase in
distance?)
*What do you think this means?
Now go back to the Task section where you will find the questions for this
project. You will need to answer these questions in the Comments section of
our Biomes blog.
Reference:
VanCleave, J. (1996). Ecology for every kid: Easy activities that make
learning science fun. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
