Before you begin the Tomatosphere experiment
Plan the timing for the project carefully. It is a good idea to plant late in the week - Wednesday or Thursday. Since we are using priming, there may be an adjustment in terms of HOW LONG it takes for the seeds to germinate. It usually takes 5-7 days for the first seeds to germinate - and you will want your students to see this taking place. However, the primed seeds SHOULD germinate earlier…but we still recommend starting on Wednesday … or Thursday.
Try to avoid school breaks such as the traditional "March break" or religious holidays early in the process when you might not have the opportunity to water the plants properly, or when the temperature in the school may be lowered and affect the growth.
You can plant your seeds in the spring or in the fall – you can put your results in any time before the end of January, 2013.
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.
Over the years, the project has accumulated questions asked by teachers and has presented the responses in this section. Our responses to these questions can be found in the “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQs) on the website.
Plan your location for the experiment. "The Experiment" section of the teacher's guide or the “Conducting the Tomatosphere Experiment” in the Tips ‘n Tricks provide suggestions about locations for your peat pots to assist in the germination process.
Read some of the "Hints from your Colleagues" for some insights into practical classroom situations that arose during the experiment, and how teachers have adjusted their processes to compensate and make this an even better experience for their students.
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. Remember that the primed seeds MAY germinate earlier.
Inform the parents/guardians about the project using the suggested letter to be sent home with the students, or include the letter in a school newsletter.
Tomatosphere is sponsored by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Canadian Space Agency, Heinz Canada Ltd, HeinzSeed, Ontario Centres of Excellence, Stokes Seeds and the University of Guelph.
