Experiment about air pollution by the 2nd Kindergarten of Neo Rysio, Greece

 

Experiment: How Plants Help Reduce Air Pollution

The children carried out an experiment to investigate whether plants can trap particles from the air and thus help reduce pollution. The activity encouraged them to observe, hypothesize, and draw conclusions through hands-on exploration.

Step 1 – Discussion and hypotheses:

The activity began with a discussion about air pollution and how it affects our environment. The children were invited to share their ideas and form hypotheses about how plants might protect the air. Some suggested that “leaves catch the dust,” while others believed that “plants can clean the air around them.”

Step 2 – Observation:

Each group received a potted plant and a magnifying glass. The children carefully observed the surface of the leaves to see if there was anything unusual. They noticed small particles and tiny spots of dust that seemed to have settled on the leaves.

Step 3 – Verification:

To confirm their observations, the children used a wet wipe to gently clean one leaf. They were surprised to see that the wipe became dirty, proving that the leaves had indeed trapped dust and other small particles from the air.

Step 4 – Discussion and conclusions:

Through guided discussion, the children concluded that plants help to purify the air by retaining pollutants on their leaves and releasing oxygen. They realized that greenery acts as a natural air filter that protects both people and the environment.

Step 5 – Formulation of functional definitions:

Finally, the children expressed their understanding in their own words, defining plants as “natural cleaners of the air” and “the Earth’s lungs,” reinforcing their awareness of the importance of plants for a healthy planet.