Science Ventures December 10, 2009

Tuesday December 8 we met to talk about Germination.


I picked up Germination as a subject for our experiments because it can reflect on our environment and it enhances the ability of the "Venturers" to relate the Carbon Cycle to the environment and draw conclusions on how it is impacted.


Two experiments were on the list:
1. To record effect of heat energy on germination: we heated 25 grains of red beans. When water temperature reached 10 degrees we took 5 grains and put them under light and room temperature on a wet mount in a petri dish. We repeated this step four more times taking each time 5 grains at 30, 50, 70 and 90 degrees.



Members learned that the experimental variable was temperature while keeping constant the number of grains and factors affecting their growth.

That day, the bell ring stopped us from doing the second experiment.
But motivated as they are, "Venturers" suggested to come second day during first break. Chris said 'I am so excited and would like to see today what is going to affect these lentil grains'.

Our objective is to compare using control and experimental variables the effect of temperature, water quantity, oxygen and light on the germination of 80 lentil grains.
Quickly and with such a lovely team spirit we gathered our hands to label, spread the cotton beds on petri dishes, count the grains and distribute them to see how these are going to germinate under the various conditions of study.



Venturers agreed to fill in a table of observation where they will be recording and docummenting on a daily basis for one week any change occuring to our "precious" grains.