"Grow" into science with GSK Science in the Summer

For the 29th year, Philadelphia area elementary students have the opportunity to participate in GSK Science in the Summer™, a national program committed to enriching young minds through free summer science education. Through the program, approximately 125,000 second through sixth grade Philadelphia area students have put on their science hats (and goggles!) to discover the joys of science through fun, hands-on experiments.

The program is sponsored by GSK [LSE/NYSE: GSK] and administered by The Franklin Institute in partnership with local libraries, where classes are taught by certified science educators. Through simple, hands-on experiments, GSK Science in the Summer students “grow into science” and gain first-hand knowledge of complex concepts in one of five course areas: Bioscience, Simple Machines, Chemistry, Oceanography and Physical Science/Electricity.

To spread the joy of science, GSK Science in the Summer is sharing an experiment from its Bioscience curriculum – an experiment you can do in your very own home! Please note: For optimum safety, an adult should be present during all experiments, and children should wear safety glasses when conducting experiments at home and at school.

Growing Experiment: Germinating Seeds

What is bioscience? Bioscience is the study of living things. It includes everything from the tiniest insect to the tallest tree! In this experiment, you will try growing some plants of your very own! You will be able to compare various seeds to see the differences in appearance and to determine which germinate (note: begin to grow) more quickly than others. If you take extra special care of your seeds, you will even be able to see what they grow into!

Materials: An adult helper, “Growing Things” chart (above), radish seeds, lima bean seeds, any other kinds of seeds you find interesting, paper towels, a warm place, peat moss and potting soil, spray bottle filled with water, paper and pencil, ruler.

Instructions:

1. Gently spray one (1) piece of paper towel with warm water. Put a few radish seeds into the paper towel, fold the towel over and place it in a warm place.
2. Repeat Step 1 with each different kind of seed. Be sure to label the seeds with their names!
3. Each day, keep the paper towels around the seeds damp by using a spray bottle to sprinkle water over them.
4. Check on your seeds every day – use a ruler to measure how much the seeds have grown with their new roots and stems. Record your results on the chart below.
5. At the end of the week, compare your results – which seeds germinated quickly? Which germinated more slowly?
6. When you are done with your experiment, you can plant your germinated seeds in little peat-filled pots. Be sure the roots are facing down!

About The Franklin Institute – Located in the heart of Philadelphia, The Franklin Institute is a renowned and innovative leader in the field of science and technology learning, as well as a dynamic center of activity. Pennsylvania’s most visited museum, it is dedicated to creating a passion for learning about science by offering access to hands-on science education. For more information, visit www.fi.edu.

GSK – one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For further information, go to us.gsk.com., follow us on twitter.com/GSKUS., or visit our blog (www.morethanmedicine.us.gsk.com/blog/.).

For more information on GSK’s global STEM education program, visit gskscienceeducation.com.