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Experiment
Germinating Seeds
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:

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:

  1. Fill each planter or foil pan with potting soil.
  2. Label each pan with the type of seed that you will be planting in it.
  3. 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.
  4. Drop a seed into each hole. Make sure that you plant all 10 seeds of each type into the correct pans.
  5. Water the soil in each pan.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
 
Number of Seeds Germinated
Day
Bean Seeds
Sunflower Seeds
Corn Seeds
2
 
 
 
4
     
6
     
8
     
10
     
12
     
14
     

Most of the _____________ seeds sprouted by day _____.
Most of the _____________ seeds sprouted by day _____.
Most of the _____________ seeds sprouted by day _____.
 
Height of Seedlings in Centimeters
Day
Bean Seedlings
Sunflower 
Corn Seedlings
2
     
4
     
6
     
8
     
10
     
12
     
14
     

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.