Mrs. Snyder's Garden
5th Grade Science
Norwood Public School
Fifth grade students will design and construct plants for Mrs. Snyder's garden.
The requirements for each plant are found in the table below. Major structures follow.

Photosynthesizers:  the structures that do most of the work of gathering the sun's energy in a process that combines CO₂ with H₂O to produce O₂ and sugars.
Water absorbing anchors: the structures that make sure plants stay put!  They pull water and nutrients from the soil, and serve as the plant's "closet" to store important items.
Supportive elevators: the structures that support the plant and bring materials where they need to be.
"Make more of me" insect attractors: the structures that make more plants, or offspring.

1.	The maximum height of the plant will be given the name "H" and will be the measurement provided in class.
2.	Surface area for the Photosynthesizers will total H2.  (This is the same as H times H).
3.	Vascular structures will be located within the Supportive elevators.  They will extend from the Water absorbing anchors to (not through) the Photosynthesizers.
4.	Smaller vascular structures will bring water and minerals from the Supportive elevators throughout the Photosynthesizers.
5.	Water absorbing anchors must have space to store sugars.
6.	Photosynthesizers will need to have structures to permit CO2 in and release H2O vapor and O2.
7.	Woody Supportive elevators need a firm support.
8.	The "Make more of me" structures will have to pack their bags and travel.  Insects, animals, or the wind are the best candidates for delivery by pollinators.
9.	There must be a safe place for the new baby plants to grow and develop before the pollinators take over.
To earn up to a B (81) you must thoroughly complete steps 1 through 9 above.  For those students that desire a higher grade, they should complete the following.  Each item listed gives the points that can be earned.  Your grade is up to you!
10.	Your plant must be either a dicot or a monocot.  All structural characteristics appropriate to one or the other will be evident. (6  points)
11.	Your Water absorbing anchors must have appropriately sized vascular structures for reaching out into the soil to obtain water and nutrients. (3 points)
12.	Your plant will need the following brightly colored "insect attractors" that demonstrate the four main kinds of specialize leaves that form the "Make more of me" structures. (5  points)
13.	Your Photosynthesizers will need a special structure to attach them to the Supportive elevators.  There will need to be a special place from which smaller Supportive elevators can grow, thereby creating more Photosynthesizers. (6 points)
14	Plants are part of a food chain in a garden.  For extra credit, research the organisms dependent on your plant.  Create them (to scale) and place them near your plant.  Credit will be given based upon research, creativity and quality.