Plants:

Plant life has existed on the Earth for hundreds of millions of years—longer than humans have been around. In fact, many believe that plants made the Earth’s atmosphere livable for humans and animals by changing carbon dioxide into the oxygen that we all breathe. It’s no wonder that plants are still intertwined with the survival of humans and other animals today. Consider the many diverse roles of these important living organisms. You could learn about plants as food, plants as medicine, or plants as decoration. You could research the science behind plants, from how they grow to why they change color with the seasons. Or, you could learn about different plants and ecosystems around the world, and how they are being affected by human habits and industries. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Academic Subjects/Standards you could explore in this category: Languages & Language Arts, Technology, Civics, Earth Science, Life Science, Mathematics, Physical Science, Social Studies, Visual & Performing Arts

Topic Example One: Plants as Medicine

Plants have been a source of medicine in just about every culture in the world. Various medicinal teas, pastes, and ointments have been created by boiling and grinding plants. Comfrey leaves, coriander, sage, sarsaparilla root, and hot peppers have all been used to relieve pain. The stems and leaves of banana and aloe plants have been used to treat burns and blisters. Many of these ancient remedies developed into the modern medicines that we use today. For example, aspirin is a medicine that is commonly used today to reduce pain, inflammation, and fever. Early forms of aspirin were actually derived from myrtle leaves, willow bark, and birch bark, which contain a pain-relieving substance called salicin. One of the earliest salicin-based medicines was a myrtle leaf treatment made by ancient Egyptians to soothe back pain in 1500 BC. What are the origins of other modern medicines? How do humans typically discover that a plant can be used as medicine? Are there new plant-based medicines waiting to be discovered? What are some other ways in which humans depend on plants?

Topic Example Two: Photosynthesis

Did you know that green plants are the only natural organisms that can manufacture their own food? The leaves of green plants contain a special green pigment called chlorophyll. When light strikes a plant’s leaves, chlorophyll transforms carbon dioxide and water into a sugar called glucose. The sugar is then transported through tubes in the leaf to the plant’s roots, stems, and fruits. The extra oxygen left over from the water is released back into air. This entire process is called photosynthesis. Every living creature on Earth depends on photosynthesis: Plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen in the process of photosynthesis, and animals inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide in the process of breathing. Because of this life cycle, plants are sometimes called the “lungs of the Earth.” What are some other ways that plants and animals depend on each other? What is the effect of plants on global warming and other important environmental issues? What kinds of plants grow in your region of the world? What types of industries are dependent upon plants?

Topic Example Three: Japanese Gardens

Gardening is enjoyed all around the world. Some people garden to grow food; others garden to be surrounded by beauty. In Japan, gardening is a unique art form. The Japanese make several different types of gardens, such as rock gardens, tea gardens, water gardens, and Zen gardens. Japanese gardens have an ancient history influenced by Shinto, Buddhist, and Taoist philosophies. Gardens are meant to be quiet, spiritual places for people to reflect and meditate. They are designed to capture the essence of nature. Plants, rocks, water, and ornaments (such as stone lanterns) are carefully arranged to make the garden natural and harmonious. Rocks can represent mountains, pools can become lakes, and a plot of raked sand can stand in for an entire ocean. The pathways and bridges throughout a garden symbolize journeys. Visitors are encouraged to meander thoughtfully and stop often to enjoy the view. Why do people grow gardens? What do gardens look like in your region? What do gardens represent in different regions of the world?

Topic Example Four: The Rainforest Ecosystem

A rainforest is a forest occurring in a tropical area with heavy rainfall. Rainforests receive four to eight meters (13 to 26 feet) of rain a year! Rainforests are also the Earth's oldest ecosystems. Fossils show that the rainforests of Southeast Asia have existed for 70 to 100 million years. Although rainforests cover only two percent of the Earth’s surface, they are home to half of the plant and animal species on the globe. A typical four square mile patch of rainforest contains up to 1,500 species of flowering plants. Despite their significance, rainforests are quickly being cut or burned down by humans, who clear the forests for logging, mining, cattle ranching, and subsistence farming. Approximately 78 million acres are destroyed each year; this is equivalent to an area larger than Poland. The disappearance of the rainforest ecosystem is causing the extinction of many plants and animal species. In addition, the carbon dioxide released by burning forests is the second largest factor contributing to global warming. What can the world community do to preserve rainforests? What happens when plants and animals become extinct? What foods, medicines, and other resources are indigenous to rainforests? What are important ecosystems in your region?

Citations

• Bleam, William, Donald McKinney, and Mark Michalovic. “Before Aspirin: Plants.” Aspirin Adventures. 2001. The Chemical Heritage Foundation. 26 Aug. 2004 <http://www.chemheritage.org/EducationalServices/pharm/ asp/asp24.htm>.
• Bleam, William, Donald McKinney, and Mark Michalovic. “Timeline of Discovery.” Aspirin Adventures. 2001. The Chemical Heritage Foundation. 26 Aug. 2004 <http://www.chemheritage.org/EducationalServices/pharm/ asp/asp180.htm>.
• “On Photosynthesis.” Earth’s Birthday Project. 26 Aug. 2004 <http://www.earthsbirthday.org/butterflies/gardens/ photosynthesis.htm>.
• “Photosynthesis: How do plants make food?” Newton’s Apple. KTCA Twin Cities Public Television. 26 Aug. 2004 <http://www.ktca.org/newtons/9/phytosy.html>.
• Reil, Scott. “Japanese Garden Design Principles.” The Helpful Gardener. Scott Reil Garden Design. 26 Aug. 2004 <http://helpfulgardener.com/japanese/2003/design.html>.
• “Japanese Garden.” Pacific University, Matsushita Center for Electronic Learning. 2 Aug. 2004 <http://mcel.pacificu.edu/as/students/chee/garden.html>.
• “About Rainforests.” Home page. Rainforest Action Network. 26 Aug. 2004 <http://www.ran.org/info_center/about_rainforests.html>.
• “Rates of Rainforest Loss.” Home page. Rainforest Action Network. 26 Aug. 2004 <http://www.ran.org/info_center/factsheets/04b.html>.
  

Helpful Hints:

For each category, we have provided several examples to get you thinking about the wide variety of topics on which you might develop a website. Remember, your website entry is only required to fit into one of the broad categories, such as Plants.

You will notice that many of our examples include cross-cultural references or highlight international aspects of a particular topic. The criteria used to score ThinkQuest entries reward collaboration among student teams in different regions or countries, so we have provided examples that we hope will inspire you to think globally and collaboratively as you choose your topic area and develop your website.

Here is one way you might choose a topic with your team: