DIY Amazing Bean

I have written almost ten Carry Out Kits. It is difficult to choose my favorite one. If I must choose, probably I’d choose the “Amazing Beans” Carry Out Kit. There are several reasons why I liked this activity. First of all, I love to talk and write about science topics with children and adults. Secondly, I believe in the STEAM education program.  STEAM education naturally begins in infancy. Everybody notices that babies put everything in their mouth. They check the objects' edibility. This is coming from their curiosity. Children need to play to become STEAM thinkers. If parents give children time and toys and activities, they will become STEAM thinkers. STEAM activities amplify language development; language enables STEAM thinking. It is important to read to children, especially when they are young. Active, self-directed learning builds STEAM skills and interest. The “Amazing Beans” Carry Out Kit has all the materials needed for the child to learn critical thinking skills and to help increase their creativity and curiosity. Children’s abstract thinking potential can be unlocked with adult support. Summer is a great time to spend with your children and do activities with them. Now, the parents have a ready-to-do activity with their children.

Some think that science is about learning the basic knowledge of cells and plants, etc. While these are important topics for students to learn and become familiar with, there is underlying importance to the subject in terms of critical thinking, scientific inquiry, raising questions, making observations, and coming to conclusions.

The most basic foundations of science and the scientific method (ask a question, observation, hypothesis, experiment, test results and conclusion) are not only accessible to young kids but something that they naturally already do.

Deann Kuhn and Susan Pearsall of Columbia University found that children as young as 2 or 3 are strongly showing these behaviors. Harnessing that natural curiosity into an educational foundation that leads to future success is important and should be taken advantage of. 

Unfortunately, a really good preschool is really expensive. It is significant that the library has the capability to create STEAM programs and Carry Out Kits.

Student achievement in science has been at a near standstill for the last 15 years. During this time, many countries eclipsed the United States in scientific achievement. This is a huge issue between 2017 and 2027. Jobs that relate to STEAM education will grow faster than other type of jobs. This is a pattern that has been consistent since around the early 2000s. 

In a world with STEAM becoming more important for future job prospects, it is all the more vital to raise our students to be scientifically inclined.

Unless we place a larger focus on scientific-based thinking, the United States will continue to be outpaced by other countries but more importantly, we place our students in a disadvantageous position that can affect the course of their entire lives.

The third reason: this is a fun project that focuses on planting seeds. This will teach your child the scientific method about growing food. Your child will get to observe and understand the concept of sustainability better.

I am so happy that I can participate in bringing these types of programs to the library. With these programs, the library brings more opportunities to the community.

"Amazing Beans" 

For Age: 6-10

Materials Included: beans, napkin, cup, potting soil, measuring tape,
plastic plate, and an observation sheet.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Put the seeds in a plastic bag with a napkin in it and a quarter cup water. Zip it tight and lay it flat where there is light, best if sunlight, near a window.

2. Watch as they swell, first maybe looking wrinkled but turning plump in a few days. When your beans are swollen, you can plant them into the soil.

3. Make a pot from the disposable cup. Punch 3 small holes into the bottom with a pencil or tip of scissors and place the pot on a disposable plate. Ask your parents to help you!

4.Transfer the soil into the cup.

5. Push holes, as many as the beans, about an inch deep into the dirt, spaced out. Push the seed gently into the bottom of a hole about an inch deep, and cover it with soil. Press the soil on very lightly.

6. Sprinkle water on it, little by little, to moisten the soil such that the pot just starts to leak water at the bottom onto the plate.

7. Depending on your house temperature, the surface of the soil may dry sooner or later. Check a few times a day and when the soil surface appears dry, add a little water to keep it moist. It should not leak too much from the bottom.

8. After the bean plants grow out from the soil, you can measure how fast they grow, measure how tall they are and count have many leaves they have.

Creative Connection

Seeds are actually baby plants with a protective coat on them, like a baby chick inside an egg. The baby plants are tiny and are waiting, 'sleeping' inside the seed until the right conditions appear for them to grow. When enough moisture, water, and warm temperature are available, the baby plant, which is called seedling, comes out to start life as a new plant.

After your bean plants grow out from the soil, you can measure how fast they grow.
Measure how tall they are, measured from the soil surface. Record your observations in the table on the data collection sheet. You can make a chart from your data and analyze the data. You can calculate for example the rate of growth. These materials you can use for a science fair project also.

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