Kids Science Project: How do plant breathe in the water bottle

Purpose of the experiment: Kids Science Project

       We plan the experiment to investigate the breathing process of the plant leaf. We are familiar that the plant gives oxygen to us for breathing and it takes back carbon dioxide. Is it true? Here we explore our understanding of the said topic by doing a simple experiment. You can use this scientific method for Kids Science Project. What is the purpose of the Kids Science Project? from the simple experiments, they should learn the beauty of the nature. These Kids Science Project should be encouraged with teachers and parents.

      Teachers and parents should work together to design and construct Kids Science Project. In the early beginning, kids do the experiment the things they observe from nature. Learning of science starts from the observation of nature. Whenever they observe the new things, they try to ask question. As a parent and teacher, we should encourage their curiosity on nature. This is the first step for Kids Science Project construction.

Photo by Sarah Dorweiler on Unsplash

1. How does a plant breathe? 

        Plant breathes through the leaf. Then immediately ask, where is the nostril? we breathe through our nostrils. How the plant leaf breathe? it breathes with the help of micropores in the leaf. If we use a microscope, we can see the micropores clearly. This is called stomata. 

      In the day time, it takes carbon dioxide and gives back oxygen to the environment. In the night time, it does in reverse order. This is simply called the breathing process of the plant.  

     If we take the good plant leaf, we can design well Kids Science Project. We will see more detail about the experimental conditions in the coming sections.

2. How does human breathe?

       Humans breathe through their nostrils. oxygen along with other air molecules go to the lungs. This is called the inhalation process. The waste air carbon dioxide sends back through the nostril. This is called the exhalation process. Even though we sleep also, this process goes on. This is the basic essence of life. 
     
    

3. Why do we need to breathe?

     As discussed earlier, life starts with the breathing process. It is the first most interaction and exchange of matter with nature. Scientifically, Our cell needs fresh oxygen for living. In the Vedic term, it is called prana. Oxygen air molecules are not prana. It is something else from a spiritual point of view. 

     Altogether, how to design the Kids Science Project? As we know leaf are a main responsible element in the plant for breathing. In our upcoming experiment, we take an average medium-size fresh plant leaf for Kids Science Project.
    

Material required for the experiment: (Kids Science Project)

1. 500 ml Conical flask                                  1 no
2. Water                                                        500 ml
3. Plant leaf (fresh medium size)                  1 no
4. Two-hole rubber cork                                1 no

Standard Operating Protocol: Kids Science Project

carbon dioxide

1.   Take a well cleaned conical flask and add 450 ml of water into it.
2.   The top of the conical flask is fixed with two-hole rubber cork.
3.   Place one hole of the rubber cork with plant leaf. plant leaf's stem must immerse in the water (2/3 of the stem should be in the water)           
4.    Place another hole with a bent glass tube. (glass tube should not touch the water)
5.    Air is sucked out slowly from the conical flask by using the glass tube.
6.    Now, if you observe very closely in the bottom of the leaf's stem, you can see the air bubbles coming out.    

Note: You take one parameter as a variable. Please don't take more variables.

Kids Science Project: Schematic representation of plant leaf breathing experiment

Observation: 

         You can observe the breathing process of the plant leaf. It is helpful for elementary level school students. They are learning about plants in their environmental science topic. Why are plants required for our life?. If the plant is not happy and healthy on our planet earth, then what will happen on the earth?. If elementary school student observes this thing from their own, they will understand science in the best way. Now the question is, how to take these simple experiments into the next level?. It is discussed in the following section.

Further Experiments:

      High-grade student needs little advance science project problem. With this same experiment, we shall add  little more material as follows:

Material required for advanced experiment:

1. Wax candle                                                     1 no
2. One jar with one opening                                1 no
3. Plastic tube                                                     1 no
4. Three-hole rubber cork                                  1 no                                  (instead of two hole rubber cork)

Standard Operating Protocol: Advanced School Science Method

1.   Take a well cleaned conical flask and add 450 ml of water into it.
2.   Top of the conical flask fix with three-hole rubber cork.
3.   The first hole of the rubber cork places with plant leaf. plant leaf's stem           must immerse in the water(2/3 of the stem should be in the water)
4.   The second hole is placed with a bent glass tube. (glass tube should not         touch the water). Air sucks out slowly from the conical flask.   After             sucks   out the air, you can close the glass tube.
5. The third hole connects to the jar by using the plastic tube. After this, you     place the candle inside the jar and flame it. When you start the                     experiment, don't forget to close the jar's opening.
6.  Now, if you observe very closely in the bottom of the plant leaf's stem,        you can see the air bubbles coming out. It passes through the plastic            tube.   Then the air enters into the jar, it switches off the candle                    flame. The best  result from the experiment is possible under the      sunlight and  without any air leakage.

Note: You take one parameter as a variable. Please don't take more variables.

Science Method: Schematic illustration of advanced plant leaf breathing experiment

Observation from the Advanced level School Science Project:

           How does the flame switch off? what you understood from this process? It switches off due to the increase in the level of carbon dioxide. But the advance part of this experiment, you should do under the observation of elders or adults.  If there is any leakage in the system, you will not get the desired result. If you do with almost care, you will get the desired result.

Key Note: If you are using medium size leaf, then you take the jar and candle in the simple assumption. Because we get only a small amount of carbon dioxide from the photosynthesis of one single plant leaf. I am telling again. The second part of the experiment is needed more advanced training.

Have a Fun with Science!