The basics of Tomatosphere is a “blind” test in which you and your students will not know the treatment of the seeds until completion of the germination process and submission of results. Students will learn how to conduct a scientific experiment and compare the germination rates of the seeds. They may also report on the growth and development of their plants... and may be inspired to pursue further education in science and technology.

The partners in Tomatosphere are working to develop new optional units for teachers and students - new components which are science-related but also linked to other areas in the curriculum:

• Grades 3 – 4 – nutrition focus for astronauts for long trips
• Grade 6 – life support for astronauts (other than food)
• Grades 7 - 8 – the Mars environment
• Grades 9 - 10 – chemistry and biology of food and nutrition

Last year our family participated in Tomatosphere for the first time and learned a lot about taking care of plants, keeping good scientific records and being responsible.  I must admit we didn't get any tomatoes and hope to do better this year.  I received the email below that seeds are being sent out and asking me to pass along the info to anyone who might be interested in participating in the project.

You can sign up and get more information by going to Tomatosphere

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We are getting ready for the first mailing of 2008. As someone who is already registered, your seeds will be mailed out in the third week of February. If you are doing some planning for early March, you will, in all probability, have your seeds by about the 3rd of March, if not sooner. IF YOUR SEEDS DO NOT ARRIVE by the 7th of March, please let us know.

As we move into phase three of Tomatosphere with plans for seeds being sent to the International Space Station for distribution in 2010, please encourage any of your colleagues who would like to be involved in the program for 2008 – 2009 – 2010, to register soon. Although we will have ample seed available for 08 and 09, we are, of course, limited by the number of seeds that we can actually send up and retrieve for the 2010 edition. Teachers can register at www.tomatosphere.org.

Our web site has been undergoing some visual changes. The basic organization will not change, but the visual impact will improve greatly. Watch for these changes to be implemented in the next few weeks. We think you will like the new look to the Tomatosphere web sit.

I have been cleaning up the data base and would ask that, if you are NOT interested in continuing with Tomatosphere to let us know by sending an e-mail to projectmanager@tomatosphere.org.

As always, if you have questions, please feel free to call (905-627-3685) or send an e-mail to the above address. Except for some times on vacation (e.g. from January 25 – February 3), responses are usually within 48 hours.

Best wishes from the Tomatosphere Project Team and sponsors – Canadian Space Agency, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Stokes Seeds, H.J. Heinz, Ontario Centres of Excellence, and the University of Guelph.

Robert Morrow

Project Manager

2008