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The Power of Sunlight

Master Slide Deck

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Table of Contents

Lesson 1 - From a Tiny Seed to a Large Tree
Lesson 2 - Investigating Photosynthesis using a Leaf Disk Floatation Method
Lesson 3 - Investigating Light and Dark
Lesson 4 - Building on Knowledge from Others

Other Resources

Synthesis Board Backgrounds

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From a Tiny Seed �to a Large Tree

Lesson 1�Power of Sunlight

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How does a tiny seed grow into a large tree?

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The General Sherman tree in the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park in California

The General Sherman tree is a sequoia tree that is 84 meters (275 feet) tall—and still growing. It is 31 meters (103 feet) around. Each year it adds enough wood to make another 18-meter �(60 foot)-tall tree.
The seed of the giant sequoia tree is very small—about the size of a grain of oatmeal.

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What is a Scientific Model?

Scientific models are used to represent phenomena in a useful way.

This Water Cycle diagram is an example of a graphical model which explains how a phenomenon occurs.

Runoff at the surface collects in lakes and oceans.

Rainwater and melted snow are absorbed by the land and used by living things.

As air cools at high altitudes the water molecules condense and form clouds.

Water molecules heated by the sun (energy) evaporate into the air.

As droplets of condensed water become heavy, they fall as precipitation (rain and snow).

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What is a Scientific Model?

Graphical models may include actual images, or use symbols like this example.

Labels are important to explain what is happening.

WONDER

ANALYZE AND CONCLUDE

OBSERVE AND MEASURE

SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY CYCLE

COMMUNICATE

STRATEGIZE AND DESIGN

HYPOTHESIZE AND QUESTION

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Logging into the PlantingScience Platform

Use the password:

[Class Password]

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Your User Dashboard

Click ‘Projects’ to reach your Project page.

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The Project Page

Click ‘Info’ to update your project details.

Click ‘Team’ to see who makes up your team!

You will describe your project here.

You will write messages to your mentor here.

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Your Project Team

Look for your Mentor in the list.

Click on their photo to read their profile.

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Guidelines for Writing to Mentors

Always:	Avoid:
Read what your mentor posted carefully. Respond to any questions your mentor asked you. Report any messages or updates from your team. Request information or advice.	Mentioning any student last names, including yours. Posting shared document links (Google Docs, Dropbox, etc.) Using rude or offensive language, even as a joke.

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Investigating Photosynthesis �Using a Leaf Disk �Floatation Method

Lesson 2�Power of Sunlight

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The Scientific Inquiry Process

WONDER

ANALYZE AND CONCLUDE

OBSERVE AND MEASURE

SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY CYCLE

COMMUNICATE

STRATEGIZE AND DESIGN

HYPOTHESIZE AND QUESTION

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What is Photosynthesis?

6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

LIGHT

Carbon Dioxide

Water

Sugar

Oxygen Gas

C

O

H

O

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Inside a Plant Leaf

Most plants have very thin leaves, but you might be surprised by how much air they actually contain.

This is where gas exchange takes place, so the air spaces here are similar to our lungs.

Leaf Structure by Zephyris, Wikimedia Commons (CC-SA-3)

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Research Question:

How does carbon dioxide�affect photosynthesis?

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C

O

C

O

C

O

C

O

C

O

C

O

C

O

C

O

C

O

Carbon Dioxide Gas

Carbon Dioxide (aqueous)

Added to

Water

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C

O

Na

H

Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO₃)

Added to Water

C

O

H

Na⁺

+

Carbon Dioxide �(CO₂)

Water�(H₂O)

Sodium ions

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Investigating �Light and Dark

Lesson 3�Power of Sunlight

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The Scientific Inquiry Process

WONDER

ANALYZE AND CONCLUDE

OBSERVE AND MEASURE

SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY CYCLE

COMMUNICATE

STRATEGIZE AND DESIGN

HYPOTHESIZE AND QUESTION

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Review: What is Photosynthesis?

6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

LIGHT

Carbon Dioxide

Water

Sugar

Oxygen Gas

C

O

H

O

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Research Question:�

What effect(s) do light and dark have on plants?

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In Your Notebook:

Predict what impact the presence of light has on photosynthesis.
Describe your experiment design:

How many leaf disks will you use?
How will you set up the solution in the cups?
How will you set up your light and dark trials?
What data will you collect?
How frequently will you collect data?

Set up a Data Table

C

O

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Follow-up Research Questions:�

What happens if you move leaf disks that have been in the light into the dark?

What happens if you move leaf disks that have been in the dark into the light?

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Chemical Indicator Solution: Phenol Red

Phenol Red is a chemical that changes color in response to �how acidic or basic the solution to which it has been added is.

It responds to pH values between 6.4 and 8.2.

pH=6.4 pH=7.0 pH=8.2

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C

O

C

O

C

O

C

O

C

O

C

O

C

O

C

O

C

O

Carbon Dioxide Gas

Carbon Dioxide (aqueous)

Added to

Water

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When __________ is added to a pink phenol red solution, the color of the solution turns ____________.

This means that adding __________ �to the solution makes the pH ____________.

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LIGHT

DARK

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Photosynthesis

Cellular

Respiration

C

O

Cellular

Respiration

C

O

C

O

C

O

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How do your results compare with your prediction?

In which tubes do you think photosynthesis took place? Explain your reasoning.

Is there evidence that something else may be happening in any of the test tubes? Explain.

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How does a tiny seed grow into a large tree?

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Building On �Knowledge from Others

Lesson 4�Power of Sunlight

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How does a tiny seed grow into a large tree?

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Where do you think the mass of a tree comes from?

Explain your reasoning.

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Who is von Helmont?

Willow Tree

5 lbs

Soil

200 lbs

Rain

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What do you predict will happen to the mass of the soil after the willow tree has grown in it for five years?

Explain your reasoning.

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After 5 Years…

Soil

199 lbs, 14 oz

Willow Tree

169 lbs 3 oz

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Based on the results of �von Helmont’s experiment, �do plants gain their �mass from the soil?

Explain your reasoning.

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Common Molecules in Trees and Plants

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Elements Involved with Photosynthesis

6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

LIGHT

Carbon Dioxide

Water

Sugar

Oxygen Gas

C

O

H

O

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The Radish Seed Experiment

Light, Watered

Dark, Watered

Light, No Water

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Why did the scientist dry the seeds and seedlings before measuring their mass?

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Radish Seed Experiment Data

	Dish 1�(Light, Watered)	Dish 2�(Dark, Watered)	Dish 3 (Dark, no Water)
Initial Mass (M_initial)	1.0 g	1.0 g	1.0 g
Prediction
Final Mass�(M_final)
Change in Mass�(M=M_final-M_initial)

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Radish Seed Experiment Data

	Dish 1�(Light, Watered)	Dish 2�(Dark, Watered)	Dish 3 (Dark, no Water)
Initial Mass (M_initial)	1.0 g	1.0 g	1.0 g
Prediction
Final Mass�(M_final)	1.20 g	0.77 g	0.98 g
Change in Mass�(M=M_final-M_initial)	Increase by 0.20 g	Decrease by 0.23 g	Decrease by 0.02 g

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Interpreting the Radish Seed Experiment

Read the statement on the slip of paper given to your team.
Decide together whether you feel the statement is REASONABLE or NOT REASONABLE.
Write 1-2 sentences explaining your reasoning.

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Statement #1:

Dish 1 increased in mass because of the water the seedlings were given.

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Statement #2:�Dish 1 increased in mass due to molecules in the air that the seedlings took in.

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Statement #3:

Dish 1 increased in mass because the light itself has mass. The seedlings gained mass from the light they absorbed.

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Statement #4:

Dish 2 decreased in mass because of the water lost when the seedlings were dried.

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Statement #5:

Dish 2 decreased in mass �because the seedlings broke down molecules stored in the seed and �released them as gas.

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Statement #6:�Dish 2 decreased in mass �because the seedlings could �not absorb mass radiated from light.

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Statement #7:�The mass of Dish 3 stayed about the same because of the absence of water, which is necessary for seeds to germinate and grow.

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Statement #8:�The mass of Dish 3 stayed about the same because seeds took in �and released about the same �amount of gas molecules in the air.

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Statement #9:�The mass in Dish 3 remained �about the same because the light damaged the seeds, preventing them from germinating.

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Photosynthesis		Cellular Respiration


Both		Neither

What is happening in Dish 1?

✔

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Photosynthesis		Cellular Respiration


Both		Neither

What is happening in Dish 2?

✔

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Photosynthesis		Cellular Respiration


Both		Neither

What is happening in Dish 3?

✔

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How does a tiny seed grow into a large tree?

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Student-Designed Inquiry

Lesson 5�Power of Sunlight

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How does a tiny seed grow into a large tree?

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What is Photosynthesis?

6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

LIGHT

Carbon Dioxide

Water

Sugar

Oxygen Gas

C

O

H

O

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C

O

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The Scientific Inquiry Process

WONDER

STRATEGIZE AND DESIGN

HYPOTHESIZE AND QUESTION

ANALYZE AND CONCLUDE

OBSERVE AND MEASURE

SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY CYCLE

COMMUNICATE

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Deciding What to Investigate

Are there any questions still on the �Questions board that could be investigated?

Did you notice anything during the �prior explorations that you could investigate further?

Are there any phenomena you’ve observed �that you cannot fully explain?

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Testable Questions…

Ask about measurements and observable phenomena, as opposed to values or opinions.
Can be answered through investigation, including experiments, observation, and research.
Can be plausibly explored using the time, space, materials, and equipment available.

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In your Science Notebook…

List 2-3 possible topics that your team may want to investigate. For each, answer these questions:

What is your hypothesis?
What new information about photosynthesis/cellular respiration would you expect to learn from this investigation?
What real-world professions or problems might be helped by the results of this investigation?
What data will you measure and record?
What supplies or equipment will you need to investigate this topic?
How much time would you need to investigate this topic?

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Is it Scientifically Meaningful?

Will your results have� real-world relevance?

Will it solve any real world problems?
Are there people or professions that might benefit?

Will you learn �new information?

Have you explored this question before?
Is the information widely known and accepted already?

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Formulating a Prediction (Hypothesis)

Based on �[describe your prior experience/source of information],

we expect our results to be [your prediction].

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Your Research Plan

State your hypothesis and research question, and include why you feel the question is scientifically meaningful.
Describe your proposed test conditions.

What variables will you keep the same for all conditions (constants)?
What variable will you change to compare conditions (independent variable)?

List the materials you'll need for your investigation.
Describe and/or sketch your proposed setup.
How long you will have to do your investigation.

Explain what data you plan to record through your observations.

What kinds of measurements will you be making (dependent variable)
What tools and methods will you use to measure?
In what format will you record your data (e.g., table, chart, etc.)?
What other information will you record? (Remember, descriptions are just as important as data!)

What, if any, methods you might need to test beforehand.

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In your Science Notebook…

What, if any, changes did you make to your experimental design as you were doing your experiment?
How do the data you collected help you to explain photosynthesis and cellular respiration?
What sources of error did you notice during the experiment? (e.g. anything that was not ideal, or unexpected circumstances.)
If you were to do this experiment again, would you change the procedure? Why or why not?

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Has anything about your mentor surprised you?

How was your mentor similar or different from what you expected?

Do you have more or less in common with your scientist mentor than you thought you would?

Did other teams have mentors that seemed very different from yours?

What did you find most helpful about your mentor?

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Final Synthesis

Power of Sunlight

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How does a tiny seed grow into a large tree?

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Review: What is Photosynthesis?

6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

LIGHT

Carbon Dioxide

Water

Sugar

Oxygen Gas

C

O

H

O

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C

O

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PlantingScience End of Session �Student Survey

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Collaboration� Board Backgrounds

The following slides can be downloaded as image files to serve as background images for a digital collaborative whiteboard based in Google Slides, FigJam, �or a similar application.

Go to each slide you want to download, and click on:�File → Download →PNG (.png, current slide)

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QUESTIONS

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SYNTHESIS

WHAT IT MEANS

(CLAIM)

WHAT WE OBSERVED

(EVIDENCE)

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C

O

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