Plants WebQuest

Designed by Lynn Peachwall

Appropriate for 4th and 5th grade

Aliens have just approached you from Mars. They are in desperate need of your help. Their atmosphere is changing to become more like Earth's. They have discovered that if they don't begin growing plants within the next twelve days, their planet will expire. The Aliens are depending on your scientific team to give them the knowledge that they need.

You job is to teach the Aliens the best way to grow plants. You will be creating a journal for the Aliens to take back to Mars with them. (Which means you handwriting must be neat and your sentences complete!) The following items should be included in your journal to the Aliens:

1. Tell the Aliens what plants they need to grow.

2. Explain the uses for plants.

3. Describe the parts of a plant - include a diagram, labeling each section and its function.

4. Describe pollination - the life cycle of the flower.

5. Describe the four major components of soil.

6. Explain the process of photosynthesis and transpiration.

7. Describe the uses of hydroponics.

8. Design a garden - use six different plants and position them in the most effective areas. (Completed on posterboard.)

In your team of four you will research the above tasks. Your team has only four days to complete the journal for the Aliens.(My suggesstion is that three of you take 2 questions and the four person takes one question and then helps the rest with their information.)Your answers must be completed in the above order in your journal. Your team will only be required to complete one journal. Number 8 should be done as a group. Only if all your minds are put together will you be able to design a garden.

You must have complete sentences and your diagrams should be neat and clearly labeled. Your team will be responsible for spelling, especially when your team directly copies from your resources. Look below at the evaluation for a clear picture as to how your team can earn an A!

Your team is allowed to use books (hint your science book would be helpful), magazine articles and the following Internet sites that are provided below. DO NOT conduct your own Internet search.

Kid's Valley Webgarden

Gardening For Kids

All About Plants - This site is a little slow but give it a chance.

The Growing Edge for Kids

Garden Dictionary

USDA for Kids - Great site you must click on gardening for the information.

Now that you have completed this Web Quest on plants you are able to explain (and help the Aliens) the parts of a plant and its function, uses of plants, the importance of plants in our world and the components of soil. Congratulations you are now an expert Landscape Engineer.

	6 or more factors, sent. are neat & complete.	4-5 factors, sent. Are neat &complete	3 factors, sent. Are neat or complete	2 factors, sent. Are neat or complete	1 factor, sent. Are neat or complete
	10 or more uses / sent. Are neat &complete	7-9 factors, sent. Are neat & complete	4-6 factors, sent. Are neat or complete	2-3 factors, sent. Are neat or complete	1 factor, sent. Are neat or complete
	All 4 parts are labeled and diagrammed, sent. Are neat & complete	All 4 parts are labeled or diagrammed, sent. Are neat & complete	3 parts are labeled or diagrammed, sent. Are neat or complete	2 parts are labeled or diagrammed, sent. Are neat or complete	1 part is labeled or diagrammed, sent. is neat or complete
	Complete process is explained - includes hybrid and cross-pollination, sent. Are neat & complete	Complete process is explained, sent. Are neat & complete	Complete process is explained, sent. Are neat or complete	2 steps of the process are explained, sent. Are neat or complete	1 step of the process is explained, sent. Is neat or complete
	Described 6 parts of soil, included pH level, sent. Are neat & complete	Described 4-5 parts of soil, included pH level sent. Are neat &complete	Described 3-4 parts of soil, sent. Are neat or complete	Described 2-3 parts of soil, sent. Are neat or complete	Described 1 part of soil, sent. Are neat or complete
	Explained the process of photosynthesis, Transpiration, sent. Are neat & complete	Explained the process of photosynthesis, Transpiration, sent. Are neat or complete	Explained the process of photosynthesis or transpiration, sent. Are neat and complete	Explained the process of photosynthesis or transpiration, sent. Are neat and complete	Attempted to describe photosynthesis, transpiration - sent. Are neat or complete
	Explained and listed the uses of hydroponics, sent. neat & complete	Explained and listed the uses of hydroponics, sent. Neat or complete	Explained or listed the uses of hydroponics, sent. Neat & complete	Explained or listed the uses of hydroponics, sent. Are neat or complete	Attempted to describe hydroponics, sent. Are neat or complete
	Designed a garden - used 7 or more plants/ used learned techniques	Designed a garden using 5-6 plants/ used learned techniques	Designed a garden using 3-4 plants / used some learned techniques	Designed a garden using 2 plants / used limited learned techniques	Designed a garden using 1 plant, used limited learned techniques