Thames & Kosmos BOTANY Experimental Greenhouse Science Kit User manual

WARNING.
›››
Not suitable for children under 5 years.
›››
For use under adult supervision.
›››
Read the instructions before use, follow
them and keep them for reference.
EXPERIMENT MANUAL
Franckh-Kosmos Verlags-GmbH & Co. KG, Pfizerstr. 5-7, 70184 Stuttgart, Germany | [phone] | www.kosmos.de
Thames & Kosmos, 301 Friendship St., Providence, RI, 02903, USA | 1-800-587-2872 | www.thamesandkosmos.com
Thames & Kosmos UK Ltd, Goudhurst, Kent, TN17 2QZ, United Kingdom | 01580 212000 | www.thamesandkosmos.co.uk

WARNING.
Not suitable for children under 3 years. Choking
hazard — small parts may be swallowed or
inhaled. Strangulation hazard — long cords may
become wrapped around the neck.
This kit contains functional sharp points, corners,
or edges. Do not injure yourself!
Keep the packaging and instructions as they
contain important information.
Handling Precautions for Plaster/Gypsum
(used in Experiment 26)
Advice for Adult Supervisors
››› This chemical toy is not suitable for children under
5 years. For use under adult supervision. Keep this
chemical toy set out of reach of children under 5
years old.
››› Store chemical toys out of reach of young children.
››› Read and follow these instructions, the safety
rules, and the first aid information and keep them
for reference.
››› Incorrect use of chemicals (the plaster, particularly
swallowing or inhaling it) can cause injury and
damage to health. Only carry out those activities
which are listed in the instructions.
››› Because children’s abilities vary so much, even
within age groups, supervising adults should
exercise discretion as to which activities are
suitable and safe for them. The instructions should
enable supervisors to assess any activity to
establish its suitability for a particular child.
››› The supervising adult should discuss the warnings,
safety information and the possible hazards with
the child or children before commencing the
activities.
››› The area surrounding the activity should be kept
clear of any obstructions and away from the
storage of food. It should be well lit and ventilated
and close to a water supply. A solid table with a
heat resistant top should be provided. When
working with plaster wear suitable clothes that
can get dirty.
››› The working area should be cleaned immediately
after carrying out the activity.
››› Disposal: Spilled or leftover plaster should be
placed in the household trash.
Safety Rules for Handling Plaster
››› Keep younger children under the specified age limit
and animals away from the activity area.
››› Store chemical toys out of reach of young children.
››› Wash hands after carrying out activities.
››› Clean all equipment after use.
› › › IMPORTANT INFORMATION
WARNING:
CHOKING HAZARD — Small
parts. Not for children under 3 yrs.
››› Do not use any equipment which has not been
supplied with the set or recommended in the
instructions for use.
››› Do not eat, drink or smoke in the activity area.
››› Do not place the material in the mouth.
››› Do not inhale dust or powder.
››› Do not apply to the body.
First Aid Information
››› In case of eye contact: Wash out eye with plenty of
water, holding eye open. Seek immediate medical
advice.
››› If swallowed: Wash out mouth with water, drink
some fresh water. Do not induce vomiting. Seek
immediate medical advice.
››› In case of doubt seek medical advice without delay:
Take the chemical and/or product together with
the container with you.
››› In case of injury always seek medical advice.
Resetting the Thermometer
For safety reasons, the red liquid inside the thermometer tube
can become split up, with pockets of air stuck between
sections of red liquid. This can happen when the thermometer
is shaken too much during transport. Some of the red liquid
can appear to hang, stuck near the top of the thermometer,
and interfere with your temperature measurements. Here are
instructions to fix this. An adult must do this, because it
involves heating water:
1. Heat some water on the stove until it reaches about 70 °C,
and pour it into a mug.
2. Hold the thermometer by the top and lower the bottom (the
end with the red liquid-filled bulb) into the hot water.
3. Watch the thread of red liquid inside the tube. It will rise up
to the upper end of the tube.
4. Place the thermometer vertically in another, empty mug to
cool.
5. The upper section of red liquid should now be integrated
with the liquid below it. You may need to repeat this a few
times to get all of the red liquid to connect in the same
column.
6. When the entire column of red liquid is connected together
in the same section, then your thermometer is ready to use for
experiments again.
For questions, please contact:
USA: Thames & Kosmos: 1-800-587-2872
www.thamesandkosmos.com
UK: Thames & Kosmos UK Ltd: 01580 212000
www.thamesandkosmos.co.uk

Dear Parents!
This greenhouse science kit offers five-
year-olds a playful way to help them
grow their first plants and learn about
botany! They can start their experiments
quickly with the carefully selected fast-
growing plant varieties included.
Other experiments will require a little
more time. Please explain to your child
that it can take time and a little bit of
patience to grow plants, and that good
things come to those who wait.
Each experiment is labeled with
the approximate time it will
require. This way, you will
know how much time to plan or
how long it will take to see any results.
Help your child find a well-lit and well-
ventilated location for the greenhouse.
Your child will also need a workplace that
can stand getting a little messy, where he
or she can experiment in peace.
The best thing would be a table right
against a window, where the greenhouse
can simply be left in place, or set it out of
the way on a wide window ledge. Cover
your table, e.g. with old newspapers.
Always keep some paper towels on hand
during the experiments, since gardeners
are always spilling a little dirt or water.
And just as with real experimental
research or gardening, it is always a good
idea to wear old clothes that you don’t
mind getting a little dirty. After
experimenting, wash your hands and the
equipment thoroughly.
Please be ready to support your little
scientist whenever your help might be
needed. Completely review the step-by-
step instructions together. Please be sure
to help your child get the additionally
required materials that are not included
in the kit.
It’s always best to get everything ready
before each experiment: The list above
each experiment shows you what
materials are needed for the experiment.
Even though working with plaster is
not particularly dangerous, you should
always assist your child when working
with plaster. Please read the safety
instructions on the inside front cover
carefully and explain them to your child.
The plaster work should not be done in
the kitchen to avoid being close to food.
Containers and utensils that have come
into contact with plaster should not be
used in the kitchen.
Here’s wishing you a lot of
fun and a green thumb!
3
567004-02-080716 
Botany: Experimental Greenhouse

8
3
2
10
No. Description Quantity Item No.
1 Greenhouse base 1 708733
2 Greenhouse domes 1 708734
3 Plant pot 7 705804
4 Measuring cup (100 ml) 2 708166
5 Measuring cup (30 ml) 3 065100
6 Soil pellet 6 773001
7 Cress seed packet 1 705133
8 Zinnia seed packet 1 711561
9 Pea seed packet 1 717945
10 Drinking straw 5 705325
11 Yarn 1 702751
12 Pipette 2 232134
13 Thermometer 1 702280
14 Wooden stick 6 705296
15 Wooden spatula 2 000239
16 Plaster gypsum (bag) 1 771052
17 Paper sheet of cut-outs 1 711482
1
4
5
7
9
11 12
13
14
15
16
17
6
Any materials not included in
the kit are marked with this
symbol under the “You will
need” heading.
Checklist: Find – Inspect – Check off
GOOD TO KNOW!
››› If you are missing any
parts, please contact
Thames & Kosmos
customer service.

› › › KIT CONTENTS

Dear Kids!
Allow us to introduce ourselves: We
are Peter Pepper, Edgar Eggplant, and
Carrie Carrot. The three of us will be
guiding you through this manual.
Peter Pepper will explain what
is actually going on in the
experiments and what you
can learn from them.
Edgar Eggplant will be warning
you about possible dangers.
Whenever you see him, it
means “Heads up! Keep your
eyes open!” He will also give
you a few handy tips.
Carrie Carrot will tell
you a lot of fun and interesting
things!
Getting Started..................
Growing Your
First Plants ........................ 
Cress, zinnia, and more!
What Your Plants
Need to Grow ............. 
Experiments with water,
light, and heat
The Young Botanist ........................ 
Science experiments with plants
Green Thumb Gardening................ 
Planting an herb garden and more
Natural Crafts for
Every Season.................................... 
Creative craft ideas using plants
You will also need: Paper towels, knife, scissors,
colored pencils, tape, watercolor paints,
paintbrush, toothpicks, paper, drinking glass,
empty yogurt container, shoe box, cardboard, old
nylon socks, old wool socks, salt, water, dish
liquid, fruits and vegetables (e.g. avocados,
lemons, peppers), plant seeds from hardware
store or garden center, soil
Your friends,
Carrie, Peter & Edgar
Have a good time in the
amazing world of plants!
› › › TABLE OF CONTENTS

Botany: Experimental Greenhouse

Assembly
Remove the dome from the plastic sheet.
Smooth the edges with a little
sandpaper. Have a grown-up help you.
Ideally, place your greenhouse on a
window ledge, where it will be warm
and bright.
Ventilation
The domes of your greenhouse have
ventilation slots that can be opened and
closed. Leave the dome closed until you
see the first sprouts. That way, the soil
won't dry out so quickly. Then, when you
see the first little plants, open the
ventilation slots to let the plants
breathe.
Thermometer
Dome
Measuring cup

GETTING STARTED

Watering
When you water, you have to be very
careful not to wash away the seeds or
disturb the seedlings. It’s easiest if you
use a pipette.
How to use a pipette:
1 Squeeze the top part of the pipette
between your thumb and forefinger
and dip the pipette in the water.
As soon as you loosen the pressure,
the liquid will rise up the pipette.
Then, by reapplying pressure
carefully, you can squeeze the
water out drop by drop.
Temperature
Place the thermometer
in one of the specially-
designed
compartments and
check the temperature
regularly.
If it gets too hot, open the ventilation
slots and/or set the greenhouse in a
shadier location. If it’s too cool, look for
a spot with more sun and close the
ventilation slots. You can also compare
the temperature under the dome with
the temperature outside it.
1 2 3
Wouldn’t you like to have an
automatic watering system?
Then take a look at Experiment 9.
Important! Make sure that your
young plants always have moist
soil! That is very important. To
help you remember, you will find little
watering cans on the cutout sheet.
Cut them out and tape them in a
location where you will often look: on
your bedroom door, for example, or the
bathroom mirror.
Thermometer
1
2
3

Botany: Experimental Greenhouse

Growing Your
First Plants


Soil absorbs water
YOU WILL NEED
Water
1
The soil pellet soaks up water
and expands. From the tightly
compressed pellet, you get loose
soil that you can use for planting.
Soil can hold a lot of water!
2
3
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Your soil pellets are made of
ground and compressed coco
fibers. These fibers are extracted
from the shells of coconuts.
Most potting soils are made of
peat, which comes from raised
bogs. These are unique habitats for
many rare animal and plant
species. Every year, huge quantities
of peat are mined, which destroys
the raised bogs!
Peat-free potting soils are now
widely available. They are made of
compost or wood fibers. Help
protect the bogs and the animals
and plants that live there by using
peat-free potting soils.
10 Minutes

Growing Your First Plants
EXPERIMENT 1
10

Growing cress
YOU WILL NEED
Paper towels
Water
1
2
4
5
Don’t plant the seeds too
close together, or they will
crowd each other and not
grow well. Little plants are also
called seedlings.
Pour some of the
cress seeds into
your hand.
It’s easy to observe germination
and growth with cress plants
because they sprout quickly. Seeds
contain all of the food, or nutrients,
that young plants need for their
early growth, so they can also
grow on a damp paper towel.
3
EXPERIMENT 2

3–6

You will be able to do more cress
experiments soon. Take a look at
Experiments 11, 13, and 17.
Cress
Sprinkle onto moist soil and
press down lightly.
March–September
3–6 Days
Germination temperature
10–20 °C (50–68 °F)
Keep soil moist and in a
shady spot
2 weeks after sowing
Stems and leaves are rich
in vitamins
Good in salads or on a
sandwich
Plant Profiles
In these profiles, you will find things
you should know about the seeds
from this kit, as well as a lot of other
common plants. This is what the
profile symbols mean:
Plant in the
greenhouse
Plant outside
Time it takes to sprout
Ideal growing
conditions
Care instructions
Harvesting
instructions
Flowers
Special
characteristics

Growing Your First Plants

Growing zinnias
YOU WILL NEED
Start by planting three pots
with zinnia seeds!
Cut out a name tag from the
cut-out paper sheet and label it.
Tape it to a toothpick. Now you
can stick it into the pot with your
plant so it is clear what is growing
in the pot.
1
2
3
4
5
6
3 x
Water
Tape
1
EXPERIMENT 3

1

Dwarf zinnia
Plant about half a centimeter
deep, not too close together,
and cover with soil.
From the end of April
8–14 Days
Germination temperature
18–22 °C (65–72 °F)
Very lile water and fertilizer
July–September
Re-flowers well and can
therefore be cut for indoor
arrangements.
You will be able to do more zinnia
experiments soon. Take a look at
Experiments 12 and 14.
It’s easy to observe germination
and growth with a cress plant,
since they need a lot less time to
grow than peas. The seed contains
all the nutrients that the young
plants need for their early growth,
so they can also grow on a damp
paper towel.

Growing Your First Plants

Thirsty peas
YOU WILL NEED
1
2
3
4
You can see that the peas have grown quite a bit bigger.
They have absorbed water and swollen up.
When that happens, their tissue and cell parts expand.
The peas become soft, and they are ready to sprout.
Colored pencils
Water
2
EXPERIMENT 4

2

Peas
Let the pea seeds swell up with water.
Then plant them individually in the
soil about 4–5 cm apart.
Cover loosely with soil.
Mid-March to mid-April
5 Days at 20 °C (68 °F)
Germination temperature
15–20 °C (59–68 °F)
Water regularly, but do not
keep it too moist, as the peas
might get moldy.
Blossom from May to June
Vitamin- and mineral-rich
vegetable

Growing Your First Plants

Root growth
YOU WILL NEED
After a few days, you will clearly see the roots growing
downward. Now, turn the dome upside down so the
roots point up. You will observe that the sprouts can tell
the difference between up and down, and the roots will
soon start growing downward again!
It’s easy to observe the peas sprouting through the
transparent sides of the dome. After a few days, little
roots will make their appearance out of a tiny hole in
the side of the pea.
You will be able to do more pea experiments
soon. Take a look at Experiment 10.
1
2
3 4 5
3x Paper towels,
wadded up
Keep the paper
towels moist!
Paper towels
Water
Tape
3
EXPERIMENT 5

3

What Your Plants
Need to Grow


Plants need water
YOU WILL NEED
2
3
Note! After you pick
the dandelion, a whitish
sap will drip out of the
stalk. Be careful not to
get any on your clothes
— the stains are hard to
wash out.
1
Plants are made of tiny building
blocks called cells. Only when
plant cells are well supplied with
water will they be firm and solid,
giving the plant structure and
stability. If they don’t have water,
they will be limp and the plant
will collapse.
Make a lengthwise cut
in the dandelion stalk
before placing it in the
water. That way, you will
get funny-looking curls.
Dandelion stem
Water
3 Hours
1
EXPERIMENT 6

1

How plants drink
water
YOU WILL NEED
Scissors
Tape
Drinking glass
Drinking water
1
2
3
4You will quickly notice
that it gets harder and
harder to suck the water
upward as the straw gets
longer. Trees nevertheless
manage to transport water
many yards from their roots
up to their leaves.
4 x
EXPERIMENT 7

What Your Plants Need to Grow
5

Coloring flowers
YOU WILL NEED
The flower should be
freshly cut.
The colored water rises up the
flower stalk through narrow
tubes to the flower petals. You
can clearly see the veins as they
take up the dye. The dye allows you
to see not only that the flower
sucks up water, but also how fast
the water travels.
If you divide the stalk in
two and put each half in
a cup with a different
color, you will get a
two-colored flower.
2
3
1
Water
Food coloring*
White flower, such as a carnation
1
*You can use liquid
food coloring, egg
dye tablets, or ink.
EXPERIMENT 8

1