Mission Library

Botanical Break-In (2026)
Plant Growth
Grades 1-2

The Mission
23 min

Storyline

*The crew must use their knowledge of plant growth to find a rare, stolen plant in Moodoo's greenhouse and escape before it's too late. *

Moodoo has stolen a rare and valuable plant species from Tellenor, called the Luminous Lykoris, and hidden it within his alien plant greenhouse. This greenhouse is filled with a variety of unusual, glowing plants that respond differently to sunlight and water. The crew will sneak in stealthily to retrieve the plant, but Moodoo will trap them inside the greenhouse. Students must work together to investigate the growth patterns of these glowing plants (i.e. the effect of sunlight and water on plant growth) in order to find the stolen plant and escape the greenhouse as quickly as possible.

3-Dimensional Science

Phenomenon

The plants in Moodoo's greenhouse have different environmental needs.

Science and Engineering Practices

Asking Questions and Defining Problems

  • Ask and/or identify questions that can be answered by an investigation.

Planning and Carrying Out Investigations

  • Plan and conduct an investigation collaboratively to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence to answer a question.

  • Make observations (firsthand or from media) and/or measurements to collect data that can be used to make comparisons.

Analyzing and Interpreting Data

  • Use and share pictures, drawings, and/or writings of observations.

  • Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.

Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking

  • Use quantitative data to compare two alternative solutions to a problem.

Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

  • Generate and/or compare multiple solutions to a problem.

Engaging in Argument from Evidence

  • Construct an argument with evidence to support a claim.

  • Make a claim about the effectiveness of an object, tool, or solution that is supported by relevant evidence.

Crosscutting Concepts

Cause and Effect

  • Students learn that events have causes that generate observable patterns. They design simple tests to gather evidence to support or refute their own ideas about causes.

Disciplinary Core Ideas

LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems

  • Plants depend on water and light to grow, and also depend on animals for pollination or to move their seeds around.

Targeted Standards
Timeline
Skills in Action