Root Anchor Mystery Activity Botanist Field Case #1
Root & Stem Rescue Mission
Name:
Date:
Scientific Question
Botanist Maya tested two young bean plants to see how roots and stems help a plant survive in windy and dry weather. Read Maya's lab evidence below to solve the case!
Evidence A
The Big Windstorm Test (Roots)
Lab Fan at High Speed (3 Minutes)
Plant 1 (Full Roots) Anchored
Had long, branching roots gripping deep down into the soil.
Test Result:
Stayed upright and secure in the dirt when the wind blew.
Plant 2 (Trimmed Roots) Unanchored
Roots were carefully trimmed short so they could not grip soil.
Test Result:
Fell over immediately and blew completely out of the pot!
Evidence B
The Red Water Tracker (Stems)
24 Hours in Red-Dyed Water
Stem A (Normal Stem) Open Tubes
Water had a clear pathway through tiny tube structures inside.
Test Result:
Red water traveled 14 cm straight up the stem and reached the leaves!
Stem B (Pinched Stem) Blocked
Stem was pinched tight with a plastic clip at the base.
Test Result:
Red water stopped at 1 cm. Leaves above stayed dry and wilted.
Turn to Page 2 to use these two pieces of lab evidence to prove your scientific argument!
Botanist Argument Lab: Roots & Stems
Part 2: Claim & Evidence
1
Step 1: Choose the Strongest Claim
Check the box next to the claim that best explains what roots and stems do:
Claim A: Roots anchor the plant in the soil, and stems move water up to other plant parts.
Claim B: Roots make food from sunlight, and stems help flowers produce honey for insects.
2
Step 2: Select Your Supporting Evidence
Which evidence from Page 1 supports your claim? Check TWO pieces of evidence:
In Evidence A, Plant 1 with roots stayed standing in high winds, while Plant 2 with cut roots blew away.
In Evidence B, red water moved 14 cm up Stem A to the leaves, but stopped when Stem B was blocked.
The plastic pots were green and held brown potting soil on the lab table.
3
Step 3: Write Your Argument
Complete the sentences below using your evidence to convince another scientist:
1. State your claim about roots or stems:
2. Give one piece of evidence from the test:
3. Explain why this evidence proves your claim (Reasoning):
Botanist Checklist: I chose a claim I gave lab evidence I explained my thinking
Leaf Food Factory Activity Botanist Field Case #2
The Solar Kitchen Mystery
Name:
Date:
The Classroom Debate
Leo says: "Plants get all their food from the dirt with their roots. Leaves are just decorations!" Botanist Maya set up a 14-day test with two identical bean plants to see what leaves really do. Both plants got the exact same water and soil!
Evidence 1
Sunlight Exposure Observation
Day 14 Observations
Plant Sunny (Leaves in Sun) Uncovered
Leaves were open, broad, and reached out toward the bright window.
Leaf Condition:
Vibrant green, crisp, and made 4 new healthy leaves.
Plant Dark (Leaves Covered) Blocked Light
Leaves were covered with foil pockets so zero sunlight touched them.
Leaf Condition:
Turned pale yellow, went soft, and began drooping down.
Evidence 2
Plant Growth Measurement Data
Height in Centimeters
Plant Tested
Starting Height
Day 14 Height
Total Growth
Plant Sunny (With Sunlight)
10 cm
18 cm
+8 cm (Grew Fast!)
Plant Dark (No Sunlight)
10 cm
10 cm
0 cm (Did Not Grow)
Key Lab Note: Both plants had healthy soil and water. The only difference was sunlight on the leaves!
On Page 2, use this evidence to prove Leo wrong and defend the true job of plant leaves!
Botanist Argument Lab: Leaves
Part 2: Claim & Evidence
1
Step 1: Choose Your Claim About Leaves
Check the box next to the scientific claim supported by Maya's experiment:
Claim A: Leaves catch sunlight to make food for the plant so it can grow and stay healthy.
Claim B: Leaves soak up dirt from the air and protect the roots from rain water.
2
Step 2: Collect Your Evidence
Check TWO pieces of evidence from Page 1 that prove your claim:
Plant Sunny received sunlight on its leaves and grew 8 cm taller with 4 new green leaves.
Plant Dark had soil and water, but when leaves were blocked from sunlight it grew 0 cm and turned yellow.
Both plants were placed on white plastic trays inside the classroom window.
3
Step 3: Write Your Scientific Argument
Write your message to Leo explaining why plants must have leaves to make food:
1. My claim about what leaves do for a plant:
2. My scientific evidence from Maya's test:
3. Why this proves Leo's idea is incorrect (Reasoning):
Botanist Checklist: Stated clear claim Used growth data Explained sunlight's role
Flower Petal Secret Activity Botanist Field Case #3
The Flower Petal Secret
Name:
Date:
Scientific Question
Why do plants spend so much energy growing brightly colored flowers with sweet smells and powdery pollen? Botanist Maya investigated two flower patches in the school garden to discover what flowers do for plants.
Evidence A
Garden Pollinator Visitor Count
3 Sunny Hours of Observation
Bright Yellow Sunflowers Bright & Sweet
Had big golden petals, sweet floral scent, and yellow pollen.
Visitor Data:
🐝 Bees: 18 visits 🦋 Butterflies: 12 visits
Total Visits: 30 Pollinators!
Dull Green Flower Models No Color / No Scent
Same size and shape, but painted dull green with no bright petals or scent.
Visitor Data:
🐝 Bees: 1 visit 🦋 Butterflies: 0 visits
Total Visits: Only 1 Insect
Evidence B
What Happened 3 Weeks Later?
Seed Production Test
Visited Sunflowers
Bees brushed against pollen and carried it between flowers.
Result: Produced over 200 black seeds ready to grow new baby plants!
Unvisited Decoy Flowers
Insects never visited, so no pollen was carried or moved.
Result: Drooped and withered with ZERO seeds made.
On Page 2, put these clues together to defend the scientific purpose of flowers!
Botanist Argument Lab: Flowers
Part 2: Claim & Evidence
1
Step 1: Choose Your Claim About Flowers
Check the box next to the claim supported by Maya's garden data:
Claim A: Flowers attract pollinators with colorful petals so the plant can make seeds and reproduce.
Claim B: Flowers scare away insects so the plant can save all its pollen for winter time.
2
Step 2: Collect Supporting Evidence
Check TWO pieces of evidence that prove your claim:
The bright yellow sunflowers had 30 insect visits, while dull green models had only 1 insect visit.
Flowers visited by pollinators formed over 200 seeds, while flowers without pollinators made zero seeds.
The weather in the school garden was warm and sunny on Tuesday afternoon.
3
Step 3: Write Your Botanical Defense
Complete your argument about why plants need flowers:
1. State your claim about what flowers do:
2. Give your strongest evidence from the garden investigation:
3. Explain why this evidence supports your claim (Reasoning):
Botanist Checklist: I chose a clear claim I cited visitor & seed data I linked flowers to seeds
