EXOLAB STUDENT KIT INSTRUCTIONS

Safety Notice: Adult supervision required. Follow safety procedures especially when heating agar, working with hot liquids, and if using glass.

Objective: Prepare a container at home to monitor your own red clover plants and record observations each day.

Materials:

Included in your kit: magnifying glass, disposable gloves, pipette, agar (tan powder), Rhizobia (black powder), red clover seeds

Not included: heat safe container to prepare agar, stirring spoon, measuring cup and spoon, small dish to mix Rhizobia solution, at least one container to grow seeds (upcycle a clean plastic water bottle or tall glass jar with lid)

Procedures:

1. Clean your work surface and container thoroughly. Put on gloves.

2. Prepare agar by adding 1/2 tsp of the tan agar powder to 1/2 cup (or 125mL) of water, stir to dissolve, and use a heat safe container to bring it to a boil (microwave or stove). (Substitute a regular spoon if a measuring spoon is not available.)

3. Allow agar to cool for 10 minutes and then wear potholders to carefully pour the agar into your growing container. CAUTION: HOT LIQUID! YOUR CONTAINER WILL GET HOT!

4. Position your growing container on a 20 to 45 degree angle to allow the agar to cool and gel with a slant. Secure it well to prevent tipping.

5. In a small dish, mix 1/2 of the black Rhizobia powder to 1 tsp of water, and use the pipette to add 1mL of this solution to the agar surface.

6. Place your seeds in the container at the top edge of slanted, cooled agar, (at least 3+ seeds, depending on the size of your container).

7. Place a lid on the container and move to a sunny window or near a lamp to monitor growth.