Plant Detectives:
What Plants Need
Second Grade; Science
By: Kelly Counts
Directions:
Today, you are going to act like scientists and plant detectives! Scientists ask questions and observe what happens when things change, so we are going to practice this together.
The purpose of this activity is to help you find out what plants need to grow and what might happen when a plant does not get one of those needs met. This will help you get ready to do your own plant investigation later on.
There are 7 hotspots hidden in the picture located on the next page. Each hotspot will help you learn about growing conditions for plants, such as sunlight, water, soil, space, or air.
To explore, click on or hover over the icons and hidden spots in the image. Some hotspots will ask you to listen, read, answer questions, and play a game.
As you explore, draw or write one word for each plant need you find. Think about this question as you work:
What would happen to a plant if this growing condition was changed or missing?
By the end of the investigation, you will be able to identify at least 3 things a plant needs to grow and describe what happens when one of those needs is missing.
Make sure you find and explore all 7 hotspots before moving on. Good luck and have fun!
During the video, listen for which plant need is being talked about and how that need keeps the plant alive and healthy. After viewing the video, share how each plant would be effected by one of its needs missing. What would happen to a plant without soil? Why does a plant need space to grow?
This hotspot represents soil! Soil is like a plant’s home. It holds the plant in place and gives it nutrients, which are like vitamins for plants. Roots grow in the soil to drink water and take in food. And guess what? Worms love soil! Worms wiggle through the dirt and help keep the soil healthy. They don’t eat plants—but they do make the soil a great place for plants to grow!
Plant Detectives: What Plants Need
Kelly Counts
Created on March 2, 2026
Start designing with a free template
Discover more than 1500 professional designs like these:
View
Essential Business Proposal
View
Project Roadmap Timeline
View
Step-by-Step Timeline: How to Develop an Idea
View
Artificial Intelligence History Timeline
View
Microlearning: When to Use Chat, Meetings or Email
View
Magazine dossier
View
Microlearning: Graphic Design
Explore all templates
Transcript
Plant Detectives:
What Plants Need
Second Grade; Science
By: Kelly Counts
Directions:
Today, you are going to act like scientists and plant detectives! Scientists ask questions and observe what happens when things change, so we are going to practice this together. The purpose of this activity is to help you find out what plants need to grow and what might happen when a plant does not get one of those needs met. This will help you get ready to do your own plant investigation later on. There are 7 hotspots hidden in the picture located on the next page. Each hotspot will help you learn about growing conditions for plants, such as sunlight, water, soil, space, or air. To explore, click on or hover over the icons and hidden spots in the image. Some hotspots will ask you to listen, read, answer questions, and play a game. As you explore, draw or write one word for each plant need you find. Think about this question as you work: What would happen to a plant if this growing condition was changed or missing? By the end of the investigation, you will be able to identify at least 3 things a plant needs to grow and describe what happens when one of those needs is missing. Make sure you find and explore all 7 hotspots before moving on. Good luck and have fun!
During the video, listen for which plant need is being talked about and how that need keeps the plant alive and healthy. After viewing the video, share how each plant would be effected by one of its needs missing. What would happen to a plant without soil? Why does a plant need space to grow?
This hotspot represents soil! Soil is like a plant’s home. It holds the plant in place and gives it nutrients, which are like vitamins for plants. Roots grow in the soil to drink water and take in food. And guess what? Worms love soil! Worms wiggle through the dirt and help keep the soil healthy. They don’t eat plants—but they do make the soil a great place for plants to grow!