Growing seeds in eggshells is a neat way to engage preschoolers and show them the stages of seed growth!
Planting seeds with kids is the perfect foundation for earth sciences and a great catalyst for discussion about what plants need to grow and be healthy.
Make sure to check out all the different types of seed-growing experiments.
Supplies:
- 24 Nulaid Egg Shells
- Soil
- Seeds ( use a couple of different types of seeds to compare, peas and sunflowers)
- Water
- Spoon or small scoop
STEP 1:
Set up your eggshells in the egg cartons and fill with the soil. We used a couple of different types of seeds, so we made sure to separate one set of eggs from another.
STEP 2:
Push one seed gently into the soil of each eggshell, making sure the seed is covered with dirt.
STEP 3:
Use a small spray bottle or similar to dampen the soil. Do not over water!
Stages of seed growth
We gave the seeds three days to start the process on their own, and then each day we opened up one or two new egg shells to examine the seed and note the changes taking place.
This seed growing activity is terrific for developing observation skills. Have a magnifying glass ready for your little scientist!
What are we looking for in each eggshell?
- looking for seeds to get fatter
- looking for a root to pop out of the side
- looking for root to push down into the soil
- looking for root hairs
- looking for the seed to push up while the root hairs push down
- looking for shoots to come up
First, the seed absorbs water. This causes the seed to swell and the outer coating to break. Then the seed starts to break down some of the food that is stored in it. Most seeds will need oxygen in the air in the soil for this to happen.
Eventually, when the seed has grown leaves it can make its own oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.
Once the seed coat breaks open, the first root grows, called the radicle. In almost all plants, the root comes before the shoot.
Once the root starts to grow, it can now absorb water and nutrients from the soil, instead of getting it from the seed coat.
After the root, the plant’s stem starts to grow. When it reaches above the ground, the leaves begin to grow. This is when the plant no longer has to rely on the stored starch (cotyledon) that comes from the seed.
