| In our previous science fair project we had a look at | | | | 3. Now paint your shoe box and the eight flaps all over |
| chlorophyll and how plants use this chlorophyll, sunlight, | | | | with black paint. Do you know why we are doing that? |
| water and carbon dioxide to produce glucose (a form | | | | Think about the light reflecting...yes, the black paint is to |
| of sugar.) What else, that is very important, is | | | | stop the light entering through the hole from reflecting |
| produced through photosynthesis? (In the process | | | | inside the shoe box! |
| carbon dioxide is taken from the air, what is released | | | | 4. Now you can make a maze by sticking the eight |
| back into the air?) Now we are going to do a good | | | | flaps of card inside the shoe box with sticky tape. Cut |
| science fair project to demonstrate how plants | | | | slots into your flaps at a different place in each flap to |
| actually reach for sunlight. We know by now that they | | | | form a maze (if you are not sure how to do this, ask |
| cannot survive without light, which we proved in our | | | | for the help of an adult who knows what a maze |
| previous science fair project. Now we are going to do | | | | looks like.) |
| a really fun science fair project. If you want to do a | | | | 5. Plant a runner bean in a small plant pot with |
| really good science fair project, it might be a good idea | | | | compost. |
| to combine these two science fair projects as it gives | | | | 6. Water the soil each day to keep it moist but, do not |
| you a very clear and visual picture of plants growing | | | | make it too wet. Keep it in a warm place until the bean |
| and needing sunlight. | | | | has a shoot. Remember to keep the soil moist, |
| Today's science fair project is a good science fair | | | | depending on the temperature; it may not be |
| project for someone that is a little handy. We are | | | | necessary to water the bean everyday. |
| going to make a maze in a shoe box to demonstrate | | | | 7. When your plant has a shoot place it at the bottom |
| how the plant searches and reaches for light. | | | | of your maze. |
| What you will need for this science fair project: | | | | 8. Close the lid and place the maze in a sunny spot. |
| * First you need a shoe box | | | | 9. Remove the lid once a day to see if your plant |
| * You will need a pair of scissors | | | | needs water. |
| * Stiff card | | | | 10. Now you can observe what is happening. |
| * Some sticky tape | | | | 11. If you did it right, the plant will grow and find its way |
| * Black paint | | | | through your maze to steadily move towards the light. |
| * A paint brush | | | | 12. Eventually your plant will poke through the hole at |
| * A pair of gardening gloves to protect your hands | | | | the top of your shoe box. |
| * A runner bean | | | | 13. For display purposes it is a good idea to take a |
| * A plant pot | | | | photo of your plant growing zig-zag through your |
| * Some good compost | | | | maze and out the hole at the top. |
| * Water | | | | This is a good science fair project for someone |
| Now for the fun part: making your maze in your shoe | | | | interested in gardening. It is also a good science fair |
| box! | | | | project for someone that loves crafts as this can |
| 1. To start cut a hole in the one end of the shoe box. | | | | double as a craft because of the maze you have to |
| 2. Making a maze in your shoe box is very easy, start | | | | make. Good science fair projects can never be done |
| by cutting eight flaps out of the stiff cards. The flaps | | | | too fast, so give yourself enough time. |
| must fit securely into your shoe box in the width. | | | | |