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 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.
Angela
March 23, 2012 at 2:46 pmthis is totally cute! I love how you made a science project into a toy!
Susan Mann
March 23, 2012 at 2:46 pmooh this is so cute. I need to find where to get cress seeds, I’m so going to make this. x
MsXpat
March 23, 2012 at 3:13 pmHow cute this one caterpillar I’ll eat, lol
Toys In The Dryer
March 23, 2012 at 4:45 pmI’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.
ScienceSparks
March 24, 2012 at 9:57 pmDone!
ellen
March 24, 2012 at 4:48 pmWhat are cress seeds? Watercress?
ScienceSparks
March 24, 2012 at 9:56 pmIts just garden cress, I think its related to watercress though . 🙂
sarahmumof3
March 24, 2012 at 5:14 pmI must do this with mine great caterpiller!
ScienceSparks
March 24, 2012 at 9:56 pmThanks xx
Mary\
March 26, 2012 at 1:18 pmLovely idea! and tasty as well! love the way you’ve started teaching them science – never too young!!
Marta mama Nikusia
March 27, 2012 at 10:15 pmGreat 🙂
Lydia
March 28, 2012 at 12:47 amThese are seriously cool- I love a fun way to get my littles interested in science. Very nice.
maggy, red ted art
March 28, 2012 at 5:22 pmI love your caterpillar, it is sooo cute!
Thanks for sharing on Kids Get Crafty!
Maggy & Alissa
Isil
March 29, 2012 at 2:05 pmOh my, this is absolutely lovely! Thanks for linking up to Kids Coop.
Carrie
March 29, 2012 at 6:25 pmWhat a great lesson!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday! I hope you will share again this week with us!
Trisha @ Inspiration Laboratories
March 30, 2012 at 1:05 amCute little caterpillar! And, of course, I love the science in it. 🙂
crystal@growingajeweledrose
April 1, 2012 at 9:15 pmThis is adorable! Thank you for linking this up with Tuesday Tots! I am featuring this this upcoming Tuesday 🙂
ScienceSparks
April 4, 2012 at 12:50 pmoh thank you 🙂