1. Tomatosphere 2015

2. Steps of a Scientific Investigation
Question
Variables
Manipulated
Responding
Constant
Prediction & Hypothesis
Materials
Procedure
Results
Analysis
Evaluation

3. 1. Question
How do the environmental conditions of space affect the germination of tomato seeds?
Germinate 2 different treatments of tomato seeds and determine how many seeds are successfully germinated
Germination = the process by which a plant grows from a seed

4. 2. Variables A) Manipulated ONE part of the experiment we CHANGE
Treatment of seeds
A vs. B
One package of seeds is a CONTROL group
Natural, untreated
Why is it important to have a control group?
Other package of seeds is the TREATMENT group
Subjected to a simulated space environment of -80°C in a vacuum (no air or water) for 34 days

5. Blind study
We don’t know which group is which
Why is this important?
B) Responding
ONE part of the experiment we OBSERVE & MEASURE
Will compare the amount of germination for each group
Need to know # seeds planted
Need to know # seeds that germinate

6. C) Constant
Parts of the experiment we keep the SAME
Why are constant variables important to determine?

7. 3. Prediction & Hypothesis
Which set of seeds – control (natural) or treatment (-80°C vacuum) – will germinate first? Why?
Which set of seeds – control (natural) or treatment (-80°C vacuum) will have the most germination? Why?

8. 4. Materials Per group: 12 tomato seeds from each treatment
Come from traditional seed production methods; they have not been developed through the use of biotechnology
Seeds are a hybrid variety of seed from H.J. Heinz Canada - H9478; they produce a plum tomato
2 Peat Pellet trays
1 per treatment
6 pellets per tray

9. 5. Procedure - Planting
1. Label one tray as “A” and another tray as “B” with masking tape. Include your group’s name on each tray 2. The peat pellets have already been expanded by soaking them in water and the netting pulled back. 3. Start with tray A. Sow 2 A seeds in each pellet by lightly pressing the seeds in with your tweezers. Do not press down too far! 4. Cover lightly with additional peat (see Miss Robertson) 5. Place dome on tray and place tray on designated table

10. 6. Repeat steps 3-5 for other seed treatment. 7
6. Repeat steps 3-5 for other seed treatment. 7. Record the date, time and room temperature in the first row of your observations chart for each treatment. Record that you planted the seeds and how many seeds you planted for each treatment. 8. Make daily observations of germination pots -date & time -room temperature -any new germination* -total # of plants germinated* -any other observations *Germination = 2 distinctly separate cotyledons (embryonic leaves) can be seen.