Welcome to Tomatosphere!
Due to the feedback from the teachers of the more than 9440 classrooms involved in the project in 2007 and the generous support of our sponsors, the Tomatosphere Project Team will continue offering this stellar learning opportunity for 2008, 2009 and 2010. The next mailing of seeds will be provided in the spring of 2008 for spring (or fall) planting. The seed treatments for each of the following years will be announced in the near future.
IF YOU WERE REGISTERED IN 2007, YOU HAVE AUTOMATICALLY BEEN ADDED TO THE 2008 MAILING LIST (unless you let us know of your intention NOT to be involved).
The basics of Tomatosphere will remain; a 'blind test' in which you and your students will not know the treatment of the seeds until completion of the germination process and submission of results. Students will learn how to conduct a scientific experiment and compare the germination rates of the seeds. They may also report on the growth and development of their plants... and may be inspired to pursue further education in science and technology.
Watching these seeds grow will encourage classroom dialogue about the elements of life support requirements to space missions - food, water, oxygen and the need to consume carbon dioxide exhaled by crew members. Traveling to and from Mars - the closest planet to Earth - could take almost three years. It's imperative to know how to grow food for the journey there, the stay on Mars and the return journey. The results from your science experiments will help in understanding these issues related to long-term space travel.
Tomatoes are practical and valuable plants for space applications. They provide wholesome nourishment, as well as purified water through evaporation from their leaves. Today's students are the plant specialists, space scientists and Mars explorers of the future! The technical support staff and even the astronauts for future space travel may be in your classroom today!
The partners in Tomatosphere are working to develop new optional units for teachers and students - new components which are science-related but also linked to other areas in the curriculum:
- Grades 3-4: Nutrition focus for astronauts for long trips
- Grade 6: Life support for astronauts (other than food)
- Grades 7-8: The Mars environment
- Grades 9-10: Chemistry and biology of food and nutrition
Tomatosphere is sponsored by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Canadian Space Agency, Heinz Canada, H.J. Heinz Company Foundation, Ontario Centres of Excellence, Stokes Seeds and the University of Guelph.
