The six factors which effect plant growth are heat, water, air, soil/nutrients, light and space. A number of different variables, such as the amount or type of water, or the quality of soil can affect these factors which affect plant growth. You will design and conduct an experiment which explores the effect or quality of these factors on plant growth.
During this activity, you must design a lab plan, and record the problem you wish to investigate, your hypothesis (prediction), materials and document your procedure. Your procedure is a step-by-step plan of your experiment_s directions, written for a fifth grade audience. After deciding which plant to grow, read the direction on the back of the seed packet to help specify procedures.
You will set up a graph to record data. Plant growth is dependent on the factor, therefore, it is the dependent variable, recorded on the "Y" axis. The independent variable, that which is recorded on the "X" axis, is the date you record plant growth.
You will use all of the following equipment to plant your seeds:
2 planters
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soil
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water (10 mL)
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graduated cylinder
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metric ruler
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plant seeds
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You will choose one of the following variables:
polluted water (oily)
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acid rain (water with 10% vinegar)
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spring water
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sand
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plant food (nitrogen-enriched)
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polluted soil (test pH)
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artificial plant light
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sunlight
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minimal light (closet)
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Directions:
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1. Label your planters. Put your initials on both planters. Label the control "C" and the variable (the abiotic factor you will change) "V".
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2. Measure your soil using a graduated cylinder or beaker and pour soil into both planters until they are 3/4 full. If you are varying soil, make sure potting soil goes into the control planter and your experimental soil (polluted, sand, enriched) goes into the planter marked "Variable"!
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3. Follow directions on the back of the seed. Plant no more than three seeds per planter unless your variable is space. Double the amount of seeds if you wish to investigate how space restriction (overcrowding) effects plant growth.
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4. Water your seeds using a graduated cylinder. Measure the same amount of water for each planter. Remember if water is the experimental variable--polluted or purified--use the same amount of water but varied in the planter labeled "V"!
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5. Set up a graph for recording data. Put dates when you will observe plant growth on the X (horizontal) axis. Label the Y axis in centimeters to record growth. Title your graph.
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6. Record all information on the preliminary lab report:
Lab Report
Purpose
The purpose states the reason why you are doing the experiment. Purposes can be stated as a question.
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Hypothesis
The hypothesis is stated as an If..., then... statement. The 'If' part of the statement is based on related facts that you know to be true. The 'then' part of the statement is an educated guess on the outcome.
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Materials
This is a list of all equipment and chemicals needed to do the experiment. Be sure to give quantities. (r)INVALID_FIELD: Object
Procedure
The procedure tells exactly what you did to achieve your results. So, it is important to be accurate in explaining what you did. The procedure is written step-by-step, numbered ( like cooking directions).
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Conclusion
The conclusion explains results. It addresses the purpose and indicates if your hypothesis was correct.
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Name______________________________________ Class____ Date_______________
Post Lab Discussion
1. Clearly state the problem investigated. Identify the dependent and independent variables. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Describe the experiment clearly. Indicate, step-by-step, how the procedure was completed 1. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________continue on back
3. Describe the results of your experiment on the next page. Use tables, charts, or graphs.
4. State your conclusion in the experiment. You conclusions should be supported by data.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. How valid are your conclusions? Do you have of confidence in your results? Could you improve your experiment? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. How could you apply your results to your life/ community? What did you learn?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________continue on back