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Experiment
Germinating
Seeds
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Problem: Which seeds germinate
faster?
Research: Look up information
about plants, seeds and germination.
Hypothesis: Predict which
seeds will germinate the fastest: bean, sunflower, or corn. (You can use
other types of seeds such as carrot, marigold, grass, etc.)
I think that ____________ seeds will germinate
the fastest.
Setting Up the Experiment:
Materials:
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seeds:
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10 pinto bean seeds
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10 sunflower seeds
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10 corn seeds
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(or 10 of each type of seed if you use other
types)
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3 large planters or 3 rectangular foil pans
(disposable lasagna or roasting pans)
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potting soil
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water
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masking tape
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marker
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metric ruler
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chart to record your results
Procedure:
Manipulated Variable: Type of seeds.
(This is the only thing you can change.)
Responding Variable: The number
of seedlings that sprout each day and the height of the seedlings. (these
are the results that you will measure and record.)
Steps:
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Fill each planter or foil pan with potting
soil.
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Label each pan with the type of seed that
you will be planting in it.
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Poke 10 shallow holes in the soil of each
pan. Make sure that each hole is the same depth and that they are evenly
spaced in rows.
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Drop a seed into each hole. Make sure that
you plant all 10 seeds of each type into the correct pans.
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Water the soil in each pan.
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Observe the pans every 2 days and count how
many seeds have germinated (have sprouted and are visible above the soil).
Record the results in the chart.
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After the seedlings have poked above the soil,
measure the height of the tallest in each pan and record it in the 2nd
chart. If no seedlings have sprouted, just record 0 cm. Measure the seedlings
every 2 days and record it in the chart.
Results:
Make these charts to record your results.
In the first chart, record the number of each type of seedling that has
sprouted and is visible above the soil. In the second chart, measure the
height of the tallest of each type of seedling. Remember to measure in
centimeters.
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Number of Seeds Germinated
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Day
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Bean Seeds
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Sunflower Seeds
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Corn Seeds
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2
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4
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6
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8
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10
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12
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14
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Most of the _____________ seeds sprouted
by day _____.
Most of the _____________ seeds sprouted
by day _____.
Most of the _____________ seeds sprouted
by day _____.
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Height of Seedlings in Centimeters
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Day
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Bean Seedlings
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Sunflower
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Corn Seedlings
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2
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4
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6
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8
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10
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12
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14
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Conclusion:
Look over your results. What did you find
out? Which type of seed germinated the fastest? Which type of seedling
grew the fastest after it germinated? Write your conclusion and answer
the problem. Tell if your hypothesis was correct or incorrect.