1. Plant experiment J. Brown T. Kiser J. Roberg J. Brown T. Kiser J. Roberg

2. Purpose Do plants grow better in different soils? Do plants grow better in different soils?

3. Hypothesis We think the plant in mixed soil will grow the most. We think the plant in mixed soil will grow the most. We think the plant in sandy soil will grow the least. We think the plant in sandy soil will grow the least.

4. Materials  3 bean plants Three cups Three cups A nail A nail 3 bowls 3 bowls A folder to keep your recording sheet A folder to keep your recording sheet A pencil A pencil Sand, sandy soil mix, and potting soil Sand, sandy soil mix, and potting soil Ruler Ruler Sunny window Sunny window

5. Procedure 1. Gather all materials 2. Fill 1 cup ½ full with potting soil, another cup ½ full with sand, and a third cup ½ full with a sandy soil mix. 3. Place a bean plant’s roots into the cup and continue to add soil, sand, or mix until cup is full. 4. Pack soil, sand, or mix lightly with fingers. 5. Poke a nail through the bottom sides of each cup 4 times to allow drainage. 6. Label each cup with a pen to identify group members.

6. Procedure 7. Place all plants in separate Styrofoam bowl. 8. Measure the starting height of each plant in cm. 9. Place all plants in the same sunny window. 10.Water each plant ¼ cup of water each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. 11.Measure each plant’s growth Monday for four weeks. 12.Record growth on data sheet.

7. Variable and Controls Type of soil Type of soil Same sunny window Same sunny window Same amount of water Same amount of water Same type of liquid Same type of liquid Same amount of soil Same amount of soil Same kind of bean plant Same kind of bean plant

8. Results The plant in top soil grew 13 cm and grew the most. The plant in sandy soil grew 5 cm and grew the least. The plant in mixed soil grew 7 cm and grew between the height of the other two plants. The plant in top soil grew 13 cm and grew the most. The plant in sandy soil grew 5 cm and grew the least. The plant in mixed soil grew 7 cm and grew between the height of the other two plants.

9. Conclusion We learned that top soil is the best soil for the bean plant. The top soil has more nutrients for the bean plant. We learned that sandy soil doesn't have the nutrients for the bean plant. This refutes our hypothesis.