Research Projects for the Win! Inherited and Acquired Traits

Are you ready to plant the seeds of knowledge and watch your students’ scientific knowledge bloom? We’ve discovered that a captivating way to teach about inherited and acquired traits in plants is by diving into the world of research projects. Get ready for hands-on learning, awe-inspiring discoveries, and a classroom buzzing with knowledge. 

What are Inherited Traits? What are Acquired Traits?

Inherited traits are traits passed down from parents to offspring through their genes. These traits are inherited from the parents and are present in an organism from birth or hatching. Examples of inherited plant traits could include flower color, leaf shape, or seed size.

Acquired traits are features an organism develops during its lifetime in reaction to its surroundings or experiences. These traits aren’t genetic and cannot be passed down to descendants. Instead, they result from interactions with the environment or specific behaviors.

This research project aims to guide your students into discovering the different acquired traits and inherited traits in some of the more unusual plants on planet Earth. Using our research guide and graphic organizers, your students will discover facts about their plant and any inherited and acquired traits. They will also research to find out why these plants developed these characteristics. 

We’ve also included a list of potential research topics, a handy rubric, and a list of research sources for your students to use.

Download and Print Your Plant Research Project Today!

You’re just a click away from getting your new resources! Use the dropdown arrow on the Download button to select the Editable Google Slides resource file or the quick-print PDF version.

This resource was created by Kaylyn Chupp, a teacher in Florida and Teach Starter Collaborator.