Before you begin the Tomatosphere experiment
- Consider "Inviting the media" to your classroom to cover the project to see the results of the students' work. Opportunities for good photographs with the students occur when the seeds have just germinated or when the plants are ready for transplanting.
- Consider informing the parents/guardians about the project using the suggested letter to be sent home with the students, or included in a school newsletter.
- Review the "Please Read Me First" section on the web site and the background section if you need additional information about the project, space, farming in space or the scientific method.
- View the "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)" on the web site. Over the years, the project has accumulated questions asked by teachers and has presented the responses in this section. The most commonly asked questions are divided into two sections - technical/scientific and administrative.
- Read some of the "Hints from your Colleagues" for some insights into minor problems they had in past years and how they will compensate in current versions of the Tomatosphere Project.
- Plan the timing for the project carefully. You can start anytime after receiving the seeds; however, your colleagues have provided some suggestions, and have noted that it is a good idea to plant late in the week - Wednesday or Thursday. This is because it usually takes 5-7 days for the first seeds to germinate - and you will want your students to see this taking place. Try to avoid school breaks such as the traditional "March break" or religious holidays early in the process.
- Order your supplies - go to the "Project Overview" page for details.
- Plan your location for the experiment. In "The Experiment" in the appropriate grade section of the teacher's guide, there are suggestions about locations for your peat pots to assist in the germination process. Details can be found in all three grade-level appropriate sections of the Teachers' Guide - Principal Investigation - The Experiment.
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.
