SPACE EXPOSED EXPERIMENT DEVELOPED FOR STUDENTS (EDUCATION- SEEDS)
Research Area: Classroom Versions of ISS Investigations
Expedition(s): 1
Principal Investigator(s): ● Howard G. Levine, PhD, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Cape
Canaveral, Florida
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
On-orbit videotape and photographic images are taken of plant germination and early growth.
Imagery is converted to educational videos for the purpose of exciting and engaging students in
science and technology and for motivating and providing professional development for
educators.
EARTH BENEFITS
Studies such as these could lead to a better understanding of how seeds germinate and grow
on Earth.
SPACE BENEFITS
The goal of Education-SEEDS is to
evaluate the growth of space-exposed
seeds compared to earth-grown seeds.
Another goal is the demonstration of
plant growth in space. Food producing
plants is necessary when it is impossible
to carry enough freeze dried food to last
the entire voyage. Another goal of
Education-SEEDS is to increase student
interest in science and space
exploration; ie, stimulating enthusiasm
in students and teachers for space
related education.RESULTS
The Education-SEEDS investigation, which was part of the Jason XI mission, was the first plant
experiment to be performed on station. This experiment studied the effects of microgravity and
light on the germination of corn and soybean seeds.
The corn seedlings that were exposed to light appeared to show phototropism (or growth
towards light). The shoots grew toward the light and were green, demonstrating chlorophyll
synthesis (the creation of the green pigment that is used in photosynthesis). The corn seedlings
that were not exposed to light did not turn green and did not grow towards the light. The
soybean seedlings grown in the light were slightly greener than the seedlings grown in the dark.
The phototropic effect was more evident in the corn seedlings than in the soybean seedlings.
On Earth, gravity influences the roots of plants to grow in a downward direction (gravitropism).
While in orbit the seedlings grew in a microgravity environment. Whether grown in light or
ISS01E5191 - Bill Shepherd tends to a seed pouch during
Increment 1. Additional pouches hang off the International Space
Station wall above the "Astronauts at Work" sign.