Seed+Germination

=Seed Germination/Plant Growth Experiment= Download the Word document.

Introduction
Plants are essential for life on Earth, not only do they provide oxygen and form the basis of the food chain, they prevent erosion, they provide habitats for animals and are used as building materials for human. In addition, many medicines come from plants and they are an important part of our economy. The critical role of plants, means that we should know as much about their growth and seed germination as possible and ensure that we use plants sustainably.

Problem
Your group will design a controlled experiment to test a factor that affects plant growth/seed germination. You must have three different treatment groups, as well as a control group, and must have multiple seeds in each group. You will germinate the seeds using the scroll technique.

Assignment
Each member will hand in their own FORMAL laboratory report with:

State the specific purpose of YOUR experiment in terms of the independent and dependent variable.
 * Purpose**

Use a minimum of 2 sources to write 2-3 paragraphs of information explaining the process of germination and justifying your choice of independent variable and its potential effects on seed germination and plant growth. Use embedded citations when necessary.
 * Background**

Predict a specific outcome of the experiment in terms of the variables you are measuring. Use an IF/THEN statement.
 * Hypothesis**


 * Method**
 * 1) Give a complete list of ALL materials used (include sizes and amounts)
 * 2) Write a step by step procedure in the past passive explaining how the experiment was performed and how the data were collected.


 * Results**
 * Include a table with your raw data and average data for each treatment group (must include table number, title, caption, headings and units)
 * Include a summary of your quantitative results with introductions to the tables and figures (e.g. Table 1 shows….)
 * Include a paragraph summarizing your qualitative observations.
 * Include a hand drawn graph of your average data and draw a line of best fit (must include figure number, title, caption, headings and units)
 * Calculate the percent germination.
 * Calculate the growth rate of the plant (hint: slope calculation of plant height vs. time)

Write 2 paragraphs explaining your results, using information from one or more sources to support your explanation (use embedded citations). Suggest possible experimental errors and improvements to the experimental design that would enable you to get better results if you were to repeat the experiment again.
 * Discussion**

Write a conclusion for the experiment stating whether you reject or accept your hypothesis supported by your data.
 * Conclusion**

List your sources alphabetically using MLA format according to your agenda.
 * Works Cited List**