1. So, what’s the deal with pine needles?
Genevieve Chung
Ethel Stanley
Susan Finazzo

2. Why use plants as models for data collection?
Plants are everywhere familiar
Students ‘see’ them without seeing them.
Plants respond to the environment, both macroscopically and microscopically.
You probably won’t have PETA knocking your door down.

3. Why do pines? Common plants Background info available
Perennial evergreens have ‘history’.
Tree leaves exist in microenvironments.

4. Student Generated Data
Student develop hypotheses (re:leaves).
Directional differences (east facing vs. west facing)
Age factors
Canopy location
Different tree data, irrigated vs. non-irrigated
So many questions, so little time…..

5. Our Data East and West Branches This year’s and last year’s growth
Number of fasicles
Length of fasicles
Wet weight
Dry weight

6. Data Presentation with Merlin
Sample 1
East side
15 fasicles, 2009
Sample 2
West side
48 fasicles, 2009
Sample 3
30 fasicles, 2010
Sample 4
32 fasicles, 2010
Sample 5
East side, main branch
66 fasicles, 2009
Sample 6
West side, main branch
84 fasicles, 2009

7. Data Presentation with Merlin
Sample
Net fresh weight (mg)
Sum Needle length 1
3,086
139.70 2
6,785
366.15 3
3,964
189.95 4
4,468
225.05 5
13,716
568.70 6
15,841
765.60

8. More Merlin Sample Dry weight mg Sum Needle length 1 1568 139.70 2
3507
366.15 3
1510
189.95 4
1729
225.05 5
7255
568.70 6
8090
765.60