Final+Paper


 * Final Paper Due DATE: May 12, 2010**

Consult the google site for rubrics describing the final paper and power point. Here is the link: []

Submit the final paper to Turnitin.com under category IRP FINAL paper.


 * Power point presentation Due Date: May 17, 2010**

You are allowed no more than 3 minutes for a brief power point presentation that must contain photos of you conducting the experiment. It is your responsibility to convince me that you really collected the data during this presentation.

An overall score of 77% is required for HONORS credit in any high school core science course (Biology, Chemistry, or Physics).

Sample Student February 1, 2010 Chemistry

What is the effect of nutrient delivery on plant growth?

The purpose of the project is to investigate the effect of methods of nutrient delivery on plant growth. This investigation intends to answer questions about the advantages of hydroponic gardening compared to soil-based gardening. Hydroponic gardening is currently practiced in many areas of the world and may offer answers to the problems of feeding increasing populations with fewer available farm acreage. (Smith 14) This project will offer data to support other studies comparing these two methods of gardening. Gardeners have applied various forms of fertilizers to plants to increase yield and compensate for poor soil quality. Nutrients can be applied to soil-based gardens in the form of powders, granules or liquids. One gardener reported that a liquid fertilizer produced more consistent growth of tomato plants, but found that slow-release granule fertilizer applied at a comparable rate produced larger fruit (Smith 14). Hydroponic gardening consists of plants suspended in water by netting or other support system. If the plants are heavy, the fruits must be further supported by a trellis (Jones 12). Regular feeding of plants grown in water was reported to produce uniformly green plants and fruit of more uniform size (Brown 102). The fertilizers were added to the water container on a weekly basis when the containers were drained and fresh water added. Several hydroponic systems are available from commercial garden centers. Each system has an advantage for a specific type of plant. Flowers grew best with the “Green Buddy” system, while vegetable plants that produced large fruits grew best with the “High and Mighty” system (Johnson 24). Other reports found that water quality was important in any hydroponic system and recommended that the water quality be tested daily to determine how frequently the water should be changed (Smith 14). If nutrients are delivered to plants in hydroponic solutions, then these plants will grow taller and have greener leaves, than plants grown in soil with the same nutrients. Daisies (Gerbera jamesonii ), soil, and nutrient solution were obtained from a local garden center. Plants were placed in 10 cm pots with 100 mL of soil, or suspended in 100 mL of distilled water in a sunny window. Nutrient solution (10 mL) was added to plants daily. Plant growth and leaf color was scored weekly for 4 weeks. Place data tables and graphs here. Check page 97, Table 8.7, for information about the type of graphic display for the type of independent and dependent variables in your experiment. Remember the central tendency and variation is graphed NOT the individual data points. The results section also includes a verbal description of the summary data table. Do not interpret results here. Answer these questions in narrative form. Do not type the questions into your report. Thank you ....
 * Introduction **
 * Purpose **
 * Review of Literature **
 * Hypothesis **
 * Procedure/Materials and Methods**
 * Results**
 * Conclusion**
 * What was the purpose of the experiment?** (Restate the question)
 * What were the major findings?** (Restate the results)
 * Did the data support the hypothesis**? (Restate the hypothesis – NOTE: a hypothesis is never proven. The data either did nor did not support the hypothesis)
 * How did your findings compare with other researchers?** (Go back to the three text-based sources to summarize what is known about one or both of the variables and compare to what this experiment revealed)
 * What possible explanations can you offer for your findings?** You must incorporate grade level science content here. You must stretch to understand and write with appropriate vocabulary words. This one question will determine if this project will be graded in the Advanced category on the rubric.
 * What recommendations do you have for further study and for improving the experiment?** It is not acceptable to simply state that you should repeat the experiment with more trials. Find some definite way to improve the method of collecting data and think of some possibility for continuing this experiment.
 * Acknowledgments**

Brown, Gerald. "Uniform Fruits." //Encyclopedia of Home Gardening//. 24. 14. New York: Branford Press, 2006. Print. Johnson, Mack. //Gardening for Everyone//. 2nd ed. Cincinnati, OH: Publisher's House, 2002. 97-109. Print. Jones, Eliza. "Hydroponic Gardening." //Organic Gardening//. 28.2 (2008): 12. Print. Smith, John. "Modern Gardening." //Newsweek// 12 May 2009: 14. Print.
 * Literature Cited **