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Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are proving that spinach can be used for more than just salads. It may seem hard to believe, but the MIT researchers have created spinach plants that can send emails.

First the roots of the spinach plant are used to detect pollutants in the soil. Then the spinach emails the data to scientists who use it to better understand and predict climate change.

Professor Strano notes that “plants are very responsive to environmental changes,” adding that they “know that there is going to be a drought* long before we do.”

*drought = a long period without rain

Comprehension Questions

  1. What are 2 things that the spinach can do?
  2. What is the data used for?
  3. The scientists are from which school?

Comprehension Questions

  1. What are 2 things that the spinach can do?
  2. What is the data used for?
  3. The scientists are from which school?

Discussion Questions

  1. Do you like spinach?
  2. Are you worried about climate change?
  3. When is the last time you sent an email?
  4. Do you think that talking to plants helps them grow?
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