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Spring Science – Cress Caterpillar

March 23, 2012 By Emma Vanstone 25 Comments

This is our cress caterpillar. You can see in the photo that 3 of the segments are a lighter shade of green than the other three. Can you guess why this might be?

How to grow a cress caterpillar

  • cress seeds
  • an egg box, cut into segments
  • water

cress caterpillar


Cress Caterpillar Instructions

  • Place some cress seeds in each segment of the egg box.
  • Place 3 segments on one plate or tray and 3 on another plate or tray.
  • Add water to all, and place one plate on a windowsill and one in the dark.
  • Water frequently.

The cress should grow within a few days. I did give my ‘in the dark seeds’ a little bit of light to help them grow which is why they are slightly green.

Why are the cress leaves green?

I was very surprised that the seeds grew so well without any soil. They got everything they needed to grow from the water and nutrients stored in the seed.

Green plants make sugar for growth by a process called photosynthesis.

Carbon dioxide + water  (and light ) ———> glucose and oxygen

Photosynthesis takes place in choroplast cells which contain a substance called chlorophyll which makes plants green.

Sunlight is also needed to make chlorophyll, this is why the cress seeds which have been exposed to less sunlight are less green than the seeds kept in the sun.

 

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Filed Under: Early Years Science, Preschool Science, Seasonal Science, Spring Science Experiments, Understanding of the World Tagged With: caterpillar craft, Cress Caterpillar, Egg box Cress, pre school science, Science for children, Science for kids, spring craft

Previous Post: « Five great egg experiments
Next Post: Simple Food Chains and a Worksheet! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Angela

    March 23, 2012 at 2:46 pm

    this is totally cute! I love how you made a science project into a toy!

    Reply
  2. Susan Mann

    March 23, 2012 at 2:46 pm

    ooh this is so cute. I need to find where to get cress seeds, I’m so going to make this. x

    Reply
  3. MsXpat

    March 23, 2012 at 3:13 pm

    How cute this one caterpillar I’ll eat, lol

    Reply
  4. Toys In The Dryer

    March 23, 2012 at 4:45 pm

    I’d like to invite you to share this with our readers for Fun Stuff Friday @Toys In The Dryer http://www.toysinthedryer.com/2012/03/fun-stuff-fridays-16.html.

    Reply
    • ScienceSparks

      March 24, 2012 at 9:57 pm

      Done!

      Reply
  5. ellen

    March 24, 2012 at 4:48 pm

    What are cress seeds? Watercress?

    Reply
    • ScienceSparks

      March 24, 2012 at 9:56 pm

      Its just garden cress, I think its related to watercress though . 🙂

      Reply
  6. sarahmumof3

    March 24, 2012 at 5:14 pm

    I must do this with mine great caterpiller!

    Reply
    • ScienceSparks

      March 24, 2012 at 9:56 pm

      Thanks xx

      Reply
  7. Mary\

    March 26, 2012 at 1:18 pm

    Lovely idea! and tasty as well! love the way you’ve started teaching them science – never too young!!

    Reply
  8. Marta mama Nikusia

    March 27, 2012 at 10:15 pm

    Great 🙂

    Reply
  9. Lydia

    March 28, 2012 at 12:47 am

    These are seriously cool- I love a fun way to get my littles interested in science. Very nice.

    Reply
  10. maggy, red ted art

    March 28, 2012 at 5:22 pm

    I love your caterpillar, it is sooo cute!

    Thanks for sharing on Kids Get Crafty!

    Maggy & Alissa

    Reply
  11. Isil

    March 29, 2012 at 2:05 pm

    Oh my, this is absolutely lovely! Thanks for linking up to Kids Coop.

    Reply
  12. Carrie

    March 29, 2012 at 6:25 pm

    What a great lesson!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday! I hope you will share again this week with us!

    Reply
  13. Trisha @ Inspiration Laboratories

    March 30, 2012 at 1:05 am

    Cute little caterpillar! And, of course, I love the science in it. 🙂

    Reply
  14. crystal@growingajeweledrose

    April 1, 2012 at 9:15 pm

    This is adorable! Thank you for linking this up with Tuesday Tots! I am featuring this this upcoming Tuesday 🙂

    Reply
    • ScienceSparks

      April 4, 2012 at 12:50 pm

      oh thank you 🙂

      Reply

Trackbacks

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