Sunlight Investigation

How do different levels of sunlight influence plant growth and the structure of a habitat? Look for ways that a plant’s growth is affected by different levels of light.

Materials

• Access to a garden (or similar space)

• Paper and a writing utensil

Observation Ideas

• Survey the level of sunlight of different areas of a garden. Can you find an area in direct sunlight? An area in the shade? Take note of what types of plants grow in each category.

• Walk between some trees and make observations about the level of sunlight. What patterns do you notice about the height, color, or leaf size of the plants growing in this shady area?

Discussion Ideas

• Do you prefer to be in shade or sun? Why?

• How might different colors, sizes, and shapes of leaves absorb sunlight differently? What predictions do you have and how might you find out if your predictions are correct?

• Can a plant grow with no sunlight? What about very low light? What predictions do you have and how might you find out if your predictions are correct?