Introduction

In this project, we will address one of the most vital topics in Biology - Plants. Plants are multicellular organisms that belong to the Plantae kingdom. They are eukaryotic beings that contain photosynthetic pigments in organelles called chloroplasts. Plants are extremely important for life on Earth. Plants play a crucial role in maintaining the Earth's atmosphere through photosynthesis, a process by which they convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into oxygen and sugars.

Unlike other kingdoms, plants have cells with a rigid cellulose cell wall, which provide shape and support to the plant, and chloroplasts, which are organelles responsible for photosynthesis. In addition, plants have a life cycle that involves alternation of generations, a complex and intriguing phenomenon that we will study throughout this project.

The study of plants is known as Botany and is a rich and fascinating area that covers everything from plant genetics and biochemistry to plant ecology. Botany has the power to connect us with the natural world and allows us to understand how plant life sustains all other forms of life.

Contextualization

Plants play a crucial role in our lives and in the environment. They are the primary source of food for humans and animals and provide the oxygen we breathe. Additionally, plants have vital ecological functions, such as preventing soil erosion, providing habitat for wildlife, and cycling nutrients.

It is important to remember that plants are also fundamental to the economy. Many industries, such as agriculture, landscaping, medicine, and clothing, depend directly on plants. Plants are also used in the production of biofuels and in the construction and manufacturing of products.

Understanding plants, their characteristics, functions, and importance, is not only essential for biology but for our own survival. This project aims to encourage students' in-depth understanding and appreciation of this fascinating and vital kingdom of Planet Earth.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: "Exploring the World of Plants: From Seed to Photosynthesis"

Project Objective

The objective of this project is to explore, in a practical and playful way, the vital processes that occur in plants, such as germination, growth, and photosynthesis. It is expected that by the end of the project, students will be able to understand the biological processes that occur in plants, as well as the importance of these processes for life on Earth.

Detailed Project Description

Students, divided into groups of 3 to 5, will plant a seed and monitor its development for a week. In parallel, students will create a "Homemade Photosynthesis Chamber" to visualize this key process for life on Earth.

Required Materials

• Bean seeds
• Plastic cups or small pots
• Soil
• Water
• Transparent plastic bag
• Green leaves (can be from a houseplant or collected during a walk)
• Paper clips
• Books and online resources provided in the introduction for research

Detailed Step-by-Step

1. Planting the Seed: Each group should plant a few bean seeds in their plastic cup or small pot with soil. They should ensure that the seed is well covered with soil and lightly water it. The cup or pot should be placed in a location where it can receive sunlight.

2. Monitoring: Students should monitor the germination and growth of the plant daily, noting their observations and taking photos whenever possible.

3. Homemade Photosynthesis Chamber: As the plant grows, students will build a "Homemade Photosynthesis Chamber." To do this, they should take the transparent plastic bag and place a green leaf inside (cannot be the one from the planted bean). Then, they should clip the opening of the bag with a paper clip to keep the leaf inside and leave the bag in the sunlight for a few hours.

4. Observation: After a few hours, students should observe and note what happened inside the plastic bag. They will be able to see tiny oxygen bubbles being released by the leaf, which is the visible proof of the photosynthesis process.

5. Report: At the end of the week, each group should compile their observations, photos, and conclusions in a report with the following sections: Introduction, Development, Conclusions, and Bibliography.

   • Introduction: In this section, students should contextualize the theme, discuss its relevance and practical application, and describe the project's objective.
   • Development: Students should explain the theory behind the project's central themes (germination, growth, and photosynthesis), detail the activities carried out, include the methodology used, and the results obtained from observation and experiments.
   • Conclusions: Here, students should conclude the work by summarizing their main points, reporting the learnings obtained, the conclusions drawn about the project, and how it affected their view of plants and their importance.
   • Bibliography: Students should indicate the sources they relied on to work on the project, such as books, web pages, videos, etc.