Photosynthesis Inquiry

Academy of the Sacred Heart8th grade

Goals

• Learn the process of planning, setting up and carrying out an investigation.

• Learn how to phrase questions so they are testable.• Learn how aquatic plants photosynthesize.• Learn that the rate of photosynthesis can be affected

by many variables.• Learn how a pond plant changes the amount of oxygen

in the pond over the course of a 24 hour period.• Present findings to class and make connections to

other teams’ questions.

Inquiry starter

Sample Student Questions

• Does the angle of the light affect the rate of photosynthesis?• Does the type of light bulb affect the rate of photosynthesis?• Does the type of plant change the rate of photosynthesis?• Does the distance from the light affect the rate of

photosynthesis?• Does the liquid in the test tube affect the rate of

photosynthesis?• Does the temperature of the water in the test tube affect

the rate of photosynthesis?

Sample Student Investigations

Do different size light bulbs affect the rate of photosynthesis?

Do different types of water affect the rate of photosynthesis?

Variables: types of water – salt, tap, distilled and pond water tested

Does the temperature of the water change the rate of photosynthesis?

Does the distance from the light change the rate of photosynthesis?

Does a color filter affect the rate of photosynthesis?

Measuring because you WANT to

Student presentations and info sharing

Preparing to present

Dpes

Tricks for the teacher

1. Decide which variables you will let them change ahead of time. 2. Remove the beaker of water.3. Put a fresh cut on the plant each day.4. Put plant cut side up5. Look for bubbles under the leaves as well as coming out of the stem.