Read the investigation that is outlined below.  Complete the procedure section and write a summary of results and a conclusion for the investigation.

Tracey and Brendan wondered about the effect of different strengths of fertilizer on the growth of plants. They did the following investigation.

Question:  What effect does using different strengths of fertilizer instead of plain water have on the height of plants?

Prediction (hypothesis):

If we put double strength Miracle Gro fertilizer in one pot of seeds, regular strength Miracle Gro on a second pot of seeds and plain water in a third pot, then the seeds in the pot containing double strength will grow twice as tall as the regular strength pot and three times as tall as the pot with plain water, because there is more plant nutrients in the Miracle Gro and the cells in the plant will grow faster and larger. 

Materials:

Miracle Gro fertilizer

potting soil

three 6-ounce pots

grass seeds 

water

ruler   

Procedure:

1.      Gather materials

2.      Place equal amounts of potting soil in each pot

3.      Place two similar lima beans in the soil in each pot, one inch deep

4.      Water each pot with its liquid (2x Miracle Gro, 1x Miracle Gro or plain water) - 10 ml every third day

5.    Record height of any plants on four separate dates over 3 weeks

6.   Clean up materials and wash hands.

Results/Data:

Summary:   Write a summary of the data in the table above: 

Write a conclusion for Tracey and Brendan’s investigation.

In your conclusion, be sure to:

·        Answer the investigative question

·        State whether your hypothesis is supported or not.

·        Include supporting data from your data table (Use numbers! Include highest and lowest examples and averages if appropriate.)

·        Explain how these data support your conclusion

      Include any sources of error that might have affected your outcome