Transcript Plant Experiments

The Scientific Method
Using Plant Experiments to discover
the Scientific Method
Types of Plant Experiments
• Plus or Minus Treatment
– With or without
• Dose-Response Study
– Variation in amount
• Factional Experiment
– Two variables
• Comparative Experiment
– Plant species vary
Using the Scientific Inquiry Method
• Plant a Question
• Sprout a Guess
• Design a Growing Experiment
– Identify independent variable
– Identify dependent variable
• Record Fruitful Observations
• Harvest Conclusions
Using Experimental Design Methods
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Brainstorming - Four Question Strategy
Experimental Design Diagrams
Determine Procedure
Conduct Experiment
Record Results
Analysis of Results
Conclusion
Four Question Strategy
1) What materials are readily available for
conducting experiments on
?
2) How do
act?
3) How can I change a set of _ materials
to affect the action?
4) How can I measure how ______ respond
to the change?
What materials are readily available for
conducting experiments on PLANTS?
Plants
Soil
Fertilizers
Water
Light
Containers
How do PLANTS act?
Grow
Reproduce
Produce oxygen
Produce sugar
Produce fruit
How can I change a set of PLANT materials to
affect the action?
Plants
Soil
Fertilizers
Water
Light
Containers
How can I measure how PLANTS respond
to the change?
- Count the number of leaves
- Measure stem length
- Determine growth rate
- Count the number of flowers
- Mass of fruit produced
- Measure the diameter of the stems
- Measure chlorophyll absorption
Select Variables
Independent Variable - change (#3)
- limit to one variable
- all other variables are constants
Dependent Variable - measure (#4)
- limit to one variable
Experimental Design Diagram
Title: The effect of (IV) on the (DV).
Hypothesis: If (IV), then the (DV), will . . .
Independent Variable:
Control
# of Trials
Variation I
# of Trials
Dependent Variable:
Constants:
Variation II
# of Trials
Variation III
# of Trials
Example I
Title: The effect of the amount of fertilizer on
the height of bean plants.
Hypothesis: If different amounts of fertilizer
is applied, then the bean plants will vary in
height.
Independent Variable:
No Fertilizer 5% Fertilizer 10% Fertilizer 15% Fertilizer
15 plants
15 plants
15 plants
15 plants
Dependent Variable:
Height of Bean Plants in Centimeters
Constants:
Amount of water, light, soil, temperature,
humidity, etc.