4-H Plant Science Project

day lilies

If science is the study of nature, than plant science must be the study of plants. What do we do when we study plants? There are many things that we can do when we study plants. Everything from dissecting seeds to growing forests is experienced by people who study plants. Plants (scientists call them flora) are everywhere we are, so why not give them a closer look!

If you are already enrolled for this 4-H project, then get started!  If you haven't signed up yet, contact your county 4-H office and enroll today.

 

Skills to Achieve Mastery

  • Learn basic biological fact about plants and soils including plant growth factors, plant reproduction, plant characteristics, and utilization of plants.
  • Apply knowledge gained about plants and soils through experiment either in a laboratory or field setting.

Back to 4-H Project Home
Tips 

Try this out!

Look at different seeds. What are some differences that you see? Make a collection of seeds and describe the differences seen. Have your friends and family try to guess what the seed will grow into. While looking at these seeds think about how they move from place to place and how they are protected from predators eating them. Write a story about a seed and how it feels to grow up. Do you think a maple tree seed has the same experiences as a dandelion seed?

 

Visit Connecting Learning and Living to learn all about growing gardens and other agriculture issues.

4-H Resources

4-H Plant Science Manuals

ISU Extension Resources

Publications available through ISU Extension Online Store or at your County Extension Office

 

Recordkeeping Forms

Other Resources

Step It Up

Pass it on! Now that you know how, share it with others. Here are ideas to get you started.


Communication

  • Explain the different parts of a flower.
  • Teach others how to interpret soil or tissue tests.
  • Present about the effects the environment can have on plants.
  • Demonstrate how to prune trees and bushes.

Citizenship

  • Help your neighbors test their soil and decide what fertilizer would best help their plants grow.
  • Teach a group of kids how to pick the best soil to plant in and how to help the soil they have.
  • Fix up a community flower garden and figure out what would help it thrive.
  • Grow a garden and donate the produce to a local food bank.

Leadership

  • Create a plant scavenger at a  local park for your club.
  • Ask a plant specialist to come and talk to your club.
  • Visit a local greenhouse.

Exhibit Ideas

  • Learn how to take a soil or tissue test.
  • Investigate why flowers have different shapes,smells, and colors.  Create a chart showing your findings, and include some reasons why you think flowers "smell".
  • Experiment growing a plant in different types of soil.  Keep track of what happens to the plants. Make a graph that shows what happened to the plants. 
  • Investigate the differences between mushrooms and other plants. Make a poster that shows the differences.
  • Start a collection of different types of mushrooms.
  • Talk to a Master Gardener, Agronomist, or Plant Specialist in your area about career opportunities.
  • Go to a local park that has some woods. Draw or take pictures of the flowers that you see. Create a book showing your picture collection and talk about the differences seen. List some values of wildflowers.
  • Identify insects that are beneficial and pests to the plants in your area.