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Forest's Hidden Language
Photo by Kaiya Inouye on Pexels

Forest's Hidden Language

Science
30 Min
activity

This challenge invites you to uncover the hidden ways trees and plants communicate with each other beneath the forest floor. You'll become a plant detective, observing nature and building your own model to understand this incredible secret language.

The lesson goal is in this spark, your learner will observe signs of plant interaction in a natural setting, model basic principles of underground plant communication and explain the importance of communication in plant ecosystems.

What You Need

Missing something? Don't let it stop you. The app offers easy alternatives for every item you have at home.

Small Plants
Soil/Sand
String/Yarn
Water
Tray

Learning Guide

Step-by-step guidance. No preparation required.

  1. 1

    Introduction5 Min

    • Ask about plants sharing secrets.
    • Move on when Student expresses initial thoughts about plant interaction.
    Introduction
    Photo by Mico Medel on Pexels
  2. 2

    Explore & Plan8 Min

    • Find a plant observation spot.
    • Ask how plants might connect.
    • Move on when Student has observed plants and shared ideas about how they might connect.
  3. 3

    Discussion6 Min

    • Discuss why plants 'talk'.
    • Move on when Student can describe potential benefits of plant communication.
  4. 4

    Activity9 Min

    • Gather model-making items.
    • Set up plants in soil.
    • Connect plants with string.
    • Ask what string means.
    • Move on when Student has completed the physical model of a plant communication network.
    Activity
    Photo by Kaiya Inouye on Pexels
  5. 5

    Summary2 Min

    • Share one thing you learned.
    • Move on when Student shares one key takeaway from the activity.
    Summary
    Photo by Elina Volkova on Pexels

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