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Plant Science
About the 4-H Science Toolkit Series: Plant Science
In this Toolkit series, students will use all of their senses to learn more about the
amazing world of plants. They’ll become keen observers and notice small details in
the plant world; conduct experiments to learn how plants respond to light; discover
how plants adapt to changing climate conditions; explore chlorophyll and gain an understanding of how plant color relates to nutritional value. They’ll even conduct some
taste tests on vegetables, hoping to find a new one to add to their list of favorites.
They can take their activity even further in one unit — by planning, designing, planting
and eating a garden of their own creation.
All of the plant science activities call on students to predict what will happen, test their
theories, then share their results. They’ll be introduced to plant science vocabulary,
learn how plants gain and produce energy for other living things and expand their
knowledge of vegetable varieties and their taste.
The lessons in this unit were developed by, and are connected to, Cornell GardenBased Learning, in the Department of Horticulture at Cornell University.
To find out more about plant science and garden-related activities, visit the It should
say, to find out more about plant science and garden-related activities and program
support, visit Cornell Garden-Based Learning at: http://blogs.cornell.edu/garden
and to find numerous resources related to gardening, nutrition and plant activities,
check out the 4-H Resource Directory at www.cerp.cornell.edu/4h.
Plant Science Table of Contents
Be a Human Camera: Explore the world of plants up close to notice details you
don’t see from far away.
 Making Chlorophyll Prints: Learn more about chlorophyll and how it is a key to
life — producing energy for animals and human beings.
 Patterns in the Grass: Discover how light affects the color of grass.
 Climate Change Superhero: Explore plant adaptation as it relates to climate
change.
 Plan a Rainbow Garden: Learn how color reveals information about a plant’s
nutritional and biological properties and work together to plan a colorful garden.
 Veggie Taste Test: Learn about different varieties of vegetables, while thinning
out a garden.

Plant Science:
Making Chlorophyll Prints
Objectives
Main Idea
Photosynthesis is said to be the most important biological process on
earth, and chlorophyll pigment is vital to the process. We simply could not
survive without it! And yet, sometimes the topic can be dull, given the
way in which it is typically presented, which usually emphasizes memorizing the components. In this activity, while discussing the value of plants to
all of life on earth, students will extract chlorophyll from a plant part and
create a beautiful chlorophyll print.
Motivator
So you think plants are amazing, cool and they’re all you want to talk
about, right? And on top of that, don’t you love memorizing intricate details of cycles in nature, and then listing all the elements on tests?
Wait, before you run in the other direction: Plants really are amazing, and
we can’t live without them. Our entire lives on this planet are dependent
on them. But instead of force marching you through memorization of minutia, we’re going to consider plants through a creative activity that celebrates life’s most important pigment: chlorophyll. We hope that it helps
provide the pause to ponder just how remarkable plants really are.
Pre-Activity Questions
Before you start the activity, ask the students:
What is absolutely essential to life on earth?
What do we get from plants?
Why do plants matter?
How can we learn about the most important pigment on earth in a
unique way?
When it comes to plants and plant pigments, is there anything in particular that you are curious about?
Activity
p
Sup
lies
Activity Series:
Plant Science
Grade: 3-6
Time: 60-90 min.
Green leaves (vegetables like kale and spinach;
herbs like basil and mint; green leaves from trees
and shrubs)
Pieces of white fabric or watercolor paper
Metal spoons
Masking tape
1. Begin by generating a lively and spirited discussion about
life on Earth. What do we need to live? What things do we
consume that we really could do without? What is the impact of consuming more than we need? What do we get
from plants?
2. Check in with concepts of photosynthesis and chlorophyll.
What do we know about these? Let’s make a list of what we
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Engage in science concepts
behind photosynthesis and
chlorophyll
Extract chlorophyll from a
plant and create a print
Learning
Standards
(See Matrix)
Common
SET Abilities
4-H projects
address:
Predict
Hypothesize
Evaluate
State a Problem
Research Problem
Test
Problem Solve
Design Solutions
Develop Solutions
Measure
Collect Data
Draw/Design
Build/Construct
Use tools
Observe
Communicate
Organize
Infer
Question
Plan Investigation
Summarize
Invent
Interpret
Categorize
Model/Graph
Troubleshoot
Redesign
Optimize
Collaborate
Contributed By
Marcia EamesSheavly, Cornell
Garden-Based
Learning. Adapted
from an activity by
Christine Hadekel.
Plant Science:
Making Chlorophyll Prints
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
already know. Help to fill in the blanks with what young people do not understand. (Light is a form
of energy. Plants need energy to develop and grow. Humans and animals get their energy from
plants. Plants get their energy from the sun, which works to combine water and carbon dioxide to
produce sugar. Plants contain chlorophyll, a green pigment that traps the sun’s energy. Plants
use the sun’s energy to combine water and carbon dioxide together to make sugar. Every green
part of a plant has chlorophyll and makes sugar).
Usually in school, we focus on the details, memorizing elements of this process. While these are
important to know about, sometimes we get so wrapped up in things like the Krebs cycle that we
forget the “big picture” of the remarkable, awe-inspiring way in which this process supports all of
life on earth. What are your thoughts about that?
Let’s explore chlorophyll close up, in a unique way. Begin by folding a piece of paper or fabric in
half and open it up again. Place a leaf face down on half of the paper/fabric, and fold the other
half over it. Tape the paper/fabric to the table so that it stays in one place.
Use the bottom of a spoon to press firmly and rub it across the paper/fabric.
Rub the spoon over the entire leaf area so that all of the leaf’s chlorophyll will be transferred to
paper or fabric. The chlorophyll print will be more prominent on the paper because it is thinner
and will absorb the chlorophyll more easily than fabric.
Repeat this process as many times as you like, trying different leaves and paper or fabric materials. Try to describe the green – what shades do you see, how vivid are the colors? What do you
think about the pigment on this simple leaf print holding the key to life on earth as we know it?
Bind the finished prints together in a garden journal or class book, laminate and frame or hang
them as special flags around the room.
Science Checkup - Questions to ask to evaluate what was learned
Often we focus on chlorophyll and photosynthesis as the memorization of facts, without acknowledging
the wonder. What did this activity cause you to ponder from the perspective of what is “awe-some” about
plants?
What do you think of your leaf print?
Did you get answers to other questions you were curious about?
Extensions
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Check out Dig Art! for ideas for other print making projects: http://blogs.cornell.edu/garden/get-activities/
signature-projects/dig-art/activities/printmaking/
Move from this activity to the Plant Science toolkit activity: Patterns in the Grass, which also builds on
learning about light and chlorophyll.
Vocabulary
Chlorophyll: The green pigment found in most plants, algae, and cyanobacteria.
Photosynthesis: A process that converts carbon dioxide into organic compounds (especially sugars), using
the energy from sunlight.
Carbon dioxide: A chemical compound used by plants during photosynthesis to make sugars.
Background Resources
Find this activity and more at: http://nys4h.cce.cornell.edu
Cornell Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity, affirmative action educator and employer.
Plant Science:
Making Chlorophyll Prints
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For more exciting activities like this one, visit Dig Art! Cultivating Creativity in the Garden: http://
blogs.cornell.edu/garden/get-activities/signature-projects/dig-art/activities/
How to Paint with Chlorophyll from Leaves: http://www.ehow.com/how_4535975_paint‐chlorophyll‐
from‐leaves.html
Vietnamese artist Binh Danh has developed a process for printing photographs on leaves through
using the natural process of photosynthesis. Check out his chlorophyll leaf prints here: http://
neaat.wordpress.com/category/photographer‐binh‐danh/
Visit Cornell Garden-Based Learning for more plant-based activities: http://blogs.cornell.edu/garden
Find this activity and more at: http://nys4h.cce.cornell.edu
Cornell Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity, affirmative action educator and employer.