Students in Grade 3 have been learning about plants and their parts. Most plants have the same basic structures that help plants get what they need in order to survive. Many plants have roots, stems, and leaves. Roots take in water and hold a plant in place. They also take in nutrients to help the plant grow and stay healthy. The stem holds up a plant and leaves are attached to it. The stem also carries water, nutrients, and food throughout the plant. A leaf is the structure where a plant makes food in a process called photosynthesis.
We wanted to observe how material is transported through a plant stem. We used celery stalks with leaves, water, jars, and food coloring. We noticed that colored water moved up through the stem and eventually colored the leaves. We witnessed how stems really do transport materials throughout the plant right before our very eyes!
