About the project
The project "Potato helps to study natural sciences"
The project "Potato helps to study natural sciences" is created for students of 7-8 grades. In this project, students study the properties of potato in terms of natural sciences. They will revise some terms in physics, apply their knowledge of biology, chemistry and physics in everyday life.
The result of the work will be multimedia presentations, which the students will do themselves, and a leaflet with some practical advice. After the completion of the project, students will present their work to the target audience.
Objective point: to develop students' cognitive interest in studying natural sciences, to develop the ability to receive and analyze information, to develop interest in STEAM subjects; to develop skills of applying their acquired knowledge and skills in everyday life.
Directive question:
Will potato help us to study natural sciences?
Key questions:
Does starch affect the properties of potato?
Is it possible to get electricity from potato?
How does potato use osmosis?
What is the history of potato?
Topic questions:
How to make starch at home?
How to make some paste?
How to starch fabric?
How to cook kissel?
How to determine vitamin C in potatoes?
How is diffusion and osmosis associated with potatoes?
How to get electricity from potatoes?
How to determine the amount of starch in potatoes without special equipment?
Description: The project is timetabled in 1 week. Students of the 7th grade are divided into groups.
A group of theoretical biologists investigates the effect of starch on the properties of potatoes and the presence of vitamin C in potatoes.
A group of expert biologistscarries out an experiment on the detection of vitamin C in potatoes.
A group of expert chemistsinvestigateshow to get some starch from potatoes at home; makes some paste; starches the fabric; cooks kissel.
A group of theoretical physicists mentions the phenomenon of diffusion, osmosis, the term of constant current, density.
A group of expert physicistscarries out the following experiments: "Vegetable Experiment", "Fascinating Potato", "Potato – Sourceof Current," "Determination of Potato Starch Depending on Its Density at Home".
A group of historians explores the history of potato in our diet.
A group of art critics explores potatoes in the world of art:
"The Potato Eaters", Vincent van Gogh, 1885
"Basket of Potatoes I",Vincent van Gogh, 1885
"Basket of Potatoes II",Vincent van Gogh, 1885
"Basket of Potatoes III",Vincent van Gogh, 1885
“Potatoes”, Robert Falk
“Potato Harvest”, OleksijGrytsai, 1976
"October" Jules Bastien-Lepage, 1878