Conducting the Tomatosphere experiment

The basic experiment is outlined in detail on the website in the Teacher's Guide for all three grade groupings. The Tomatosphere experiment is a 'blind' test; teachers and students will not know the origin of the different types of seeds until the experiment is completed and the teacher has submitted the results. For more information on the type of seeds go to the one-page guide, "The Tomato Seeds."

For the more comprehensive approach with all of the details on the experiment from the Teachers' Guide, click here.

Following is a summary of the experiment process. Details can be found at "The Experiment" page of the Teachers' Guide.

  1. Use peat pellets to germinate the seeds; you will need one peat pellet for each seed planted.
  2. Each class receives two packages with a total of 60 seeds - 30 of each of the two types - the control group and the group that has been exposed to the treatment current for this year. In 2010, this treatment involves seeds that have spent time on the International Space Station. For details on the simulation, see the Seed Treatment for 2010 page.
  3. Because the first seeds will normally germinate in 5-7 days, it is recommended that the seeds be planted on a Wednesday or Thursday, and NOT before a holiday Monday. This will allow the students to see the germination process taking place the following week.
  4. Try and keep the seeds in a similar location. However, they do NOT require sunlight to germinate and direct sunlight should be avoided. If the air outside the school is cold at night, do not germinate along the windows unless protected from the cold.
  5. Label the seeds individually; they can be randomly placed in one location, but you must know which seeds are which.
  6. Soak the peat pellets for about 20 minutes or until fully saturated.
  7. Individually, press seeds into peat pellets to a depth which is about the same as the length of the seed (2-3 mm)
  8. Keep the peat pellets moist. but not wet. Mist the peat pellets with a spray bottle or add water to the tray in which the peat pellets are located.
  9. Remember to water the peat pellets before leaving for the week-end and as soon as possible upon return following the week-end.
  10. Record information (see "Observations, Collecting Your Data and Reporting" in the Teachers' Guide) for 3-4 weeks or for 5 days after the LAST seed germinates. There is a one-page overview of this component of the process called "Recording and reporting your results".
  11. Submit your results online remembering that this part of the experiment is to be completed by the TEACHER.