Give Me Some Light

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Material Availability

Approximate Time Required to Complete the Project

About a week to collect data; one day to write the results and prepare the science fair display

To explore the affect of sunlight on a leaf

• Indoor plant with green leaves
• Black construction paper
• Scissors
• Tape

Plants use sunlight to grow. Sunlight also produces chlorophyll in the plant causing the leaves of the plant to be green.

In this investigation, sunlight is blocked from a leaf in order to see the affect that sunlight has on leaves.

Terms

photosynthesis: a chemical process that produces energy

chlorophyll: a chemical that gives leaves their green color

Concepts

Chlorophyll is a chemical that causes a plant’s leaves to be green. Plants need sunlight to produce chlorophyll.

Research Questions:

• Why are plant leaves green?
• What happens if a plant does not receive sunlight?

1. Gather the necessary materials.
2. Cut the construction paper into two pieces that are large enough to completely cover one leaf of the plant.
3. Cover the front and the back of the leaf with the construction paper and tape around the edges.
4. Continue to provide the plant with water.
5. After seven days, uncover the leaf and record the results.

Articles

“Why Do Leaves Change Colors in the Fall?” at www.backyardnature.net

“The Busy Leaf” at www.ftexploring.com/photosyn/chloroplast.html

“Plants and Sunlight” at www.squidoo.com/plantsandsunlight

Websites

Biology 4 Kids at www.biology4kids.com

“How Plants Grow” at Science Kids at www.sciencekids.co.nz