Learn about how a leaf breathes with this outdoor science activity! As leaves use photosynthesis to convert sunlight to energy, they expel oxygen and water. As the leaf creates energy from the sun, it has to get rid of products it no longer needs, and this is where the bubbles on the leaf will come from. This process is known as transpiration!
What You’ll Need
Large plastic bowl
Magnifying glass
A live leaf
Small rock
What to Do
Fill a large, clear plastic or glass bowl with lukewarm water.
Head outside and find a large leaf. You’ll want to remove it from the tree or plant so it is alive.
Place the leaf in the bowl of water and place the small rock on top so it is fully submerged.
Place the bowl in a sunny spot.
Wait a few hours!
Take a look! You should see small bubbles on the surface of the leaf and around the bowl! Check it out with a magnifying glass.
Ask Yourself
How do leaves breathe differently than people?
What changes when you use different types and sizes of leaves?
Can you explain what photosynthesis is to a friend or a sibling?
Blog post written by Shawn Eckert, SCiP intern.