1. Germination of Seeds Project by: Jack Byram Jillian Foster William Anastasio

2. Problem Statement Is there a difference in the germination rate of seeds planted in soil or seeds allowed to germinate without soil? We are using sunflower seeds

3. Predictions for our Project Two group members think that the seeds with soil will grow faster because the seeds will be in a better environment and will be given more nutrients. But another group member feels differently. They feel that without soil, the seed will be exposed to more sunlight

4. Variables Independent Variable: without the soil Dependent Variable: The germination rate of seeds Control: Amount of water (42ml), exposure to light and light source, same seeds, temperature

5. Groups Control: 5 sunflower seeds with soil Experimental: 5 sunflower seeds without soil

6. Our Research Question Will seeds grow better with or without soil?

7. Materials for the Project 3 sunflower seeds for control group and 3 for the experimental group Paper Towels Petri Dishes Water Measuring Cup Soil Clear Plastic Napkins Cups Beakers

8. How we did the project For the three seeds with soil we used 250 ml of soil And submerge the seeds 5 centimeters in the soil Use 42 ml of water Cups to hold soil

9. How we did the Project contd. For the seeds without soil we used Petri dishes 42 ml of water Paper towels

10. Planting process We had to put a hole in the bottom of the cups with soil This was to let the water drain out

11. Our Day to Day Experiences We didn’t have an exact measurement or routine for the first few days But we decided to water the plants on Monday, Wednesday, Friday This was good because we could would have them watered for the weekend We used 42 ml of water

12. We began on March 13 March 24: the ones without soil germinated March 30: A seed with soil sprouted It was 9 cm April 7: our last time we measured and these were the measurements The ones without soil ranged from 1- 2 cm And the one that sprouted with soil was 17.5 cm

13. March 20, 2009

14. March 23, 2009

15. March 31, 2009

16. Data

17. Analysis The germination rate for the control group (with soil) grew 16 inches higher and four days faster than the experimental group (without soil). Based from our research planting with soil provides the soil with more nutrients. Also warm moist soil has been proven to be more sufficient for germination as cited here (www.tradewindsfruit.com/seed_germin ation_tips.htm - 36k)

18. Conclusion This was a great project and a really fun experience. We discovered as a group things that we didn’t know were possible. Our data, that warm soil is ideal for germinating, actually supported our hypothesis. It didn’t seem possible for a plant to grow without soil. But we discovered it could happen. But, the sunflower seeds grew faster with soil. We had different beliefs in our group. Some felt that the seeds would grow quicker without soil because it would be receiving more sunlight. While others felt that the soil would help give necessary nutrients to the seeds. We knew that one of our possible outcomes would definitely happen.

19. Resources www.tradewindsfruit.com/seed_germina tion_tips.htmwww.tradewindsfruit.com/seed_germina tion_tips.htm www.flowerpossibilities.com/fac/pdf/ex periment_two.pdfwww.flowerpossibilities.com/fac/pdf/ex periment_two.pdf