Year 11The Cathedral

CollegeInstrument 3 2017 Science Department

Subject BiologyUnit BiodiversityStudent Name

PC: /

Teacher/s HARH STUH WUSC

Task: To plan an investigation that assesses the effect of one chosen variable on the growth of seedlings or germination of seeds over a three week. You will need to present your findings in a scientific report using the format specified.Conditions:

1. Time Allowed 5 weeks.2. Word Count 800-1000 words (Introduction, Discussion,

Conclusion)

3. In class and own time preparation.4. Part A due end Week 2 Introduction / Aim / Hypothesis

5. Part B due end Week 3 Method / Materials / Safety

6. Part C due end Week 6 Results / Analysis

7. Part D due end Week 7 Discussion / Conclusion

8. FINAL COPY DUE WEEK 9 – Day 4.

Mode of submission: Hard Copy – In Class SubmissionKey dates:

Classes Distribution Draft FinalHarmsworth, Wust, Stutt

Week 1 Part A,B,C, D Week 2,3,6,7,9

8th September

Context:Plants provide us with oxygen, food, fuel and fibre. Among other reasons, scientists study plants to improve and secure the food supply for an increasing world population, identify new sources of bioactive compounds and medicines, improve fibre production and identify sources of biofuels and bio renewable resources. Experimenting with plant growth in secondary school is a great way for students to begin to understand how experimentation can lead to scientific breakthroughs in the real world.

Summary of results:Understanding Investigating Evaluating

Common Curriculum Elements embedded in this task:Comprehend & collect Structure & sequence Analyse, assess &

concludeCreate & present Apply techniques &

procedures

1

A B C D EU

nder

stan

ding

bio

logy

The student communicates their understanding by: making links between related ideas,

concepts, principles and theories to reveal meaningful interrelationships

The student communicates their understanding by: explaining ideas, concepts,

principles and theories and describing interrelationships between them

The student communicates their understanding by: defining and describing ideas,

concepts, principles and theories, and identifying interrelationships

The student communicates their understanding by stating ideas and using terminology relevant to concepts and recalling interrelationships.

The student states terminology and ideas relevant to concepts.

applying knowledge and understanding to a range of complex and challenging tasks.

applying knowledge and understanding to a range of complex tasks.

applying knowledge and understanding to a range of tasks.

Inve

stig

atin

g bi

olog

y

The student communicates investigative processes by: formulating justified researchable

questions

The student communicates investigative processes by: formulating researchable

questions

The student communicates investigative processes by: identifying researchable questions

The student communicates investigative processes by:

The student communicates investigative processes by following instructions to collect and organise data.

designing, modifying and implementing investigations

selecting, modifying and implementing investigations

selecting and implementing investigations

collecting and organising data to identify trends and interrelationships

collecting and organising data to identify trends

collecting and organising data following instructions to collect and organise data

interpreting and critically analysing results with links to theoretical concepts to draw conclusions relating to the question(s)

interpreting results and drawing conclusions relating to the question(s)

discussing results and drawing conclusions

using data to answer questions

evaluating the design of the investigation and reflecting on the adequacy of the data collected and proposing refinements.

evaluating the design of the investigation and the adequacy of the data collected.

Eva

luat

ing

biol

ogic

al is

sues

The student communicates by: gathering, critically analysing and

evaluating information and data from a variety of valid and reliable sources

The student communicates by: gathering, analysing and

evaluating information and data from a variety of valid and reliable sources

The student communicates by: gathering information and data from

a variety of sources

The student communicates by: gathering and using

biological information to make statements

The student communicates by using supplied information to make statements.

integrating the information and data to make justified and responsible decisions

integrating the information and data to make supported decisions

selecting relevant information and data to make plausible decisions and predictions in a range of biological contexts

2

Plant EEI: Task Checklist

1. Select an experimental plant species and identify its normal growth characteristics

2. Choose an abiotic factor that will affect the growth characteristics of your selected plant.

3. Research another plant species that is well adapted to the experimental conditions.

4. Hypothesise the effect of your abiotic factor on experimental plant and justify your expectations

5. Design a fair test to investigate the effects of the variations of the abiotic factor on the growth characteristics of the selected plant.

6. Analyse the data collected on the growth response of the selected plant

7. Explain the growth characteristics of the selected plant in response to the experimental conditions in terms of its adaptations and link your research to a well-adapted plant species.

8. Evaluate your experimental design, discuss future implications, and the validity of your primary and secondary data.

9. Explain the environmental/economic implications of your research.

10. Make an explicit conclusion regarding your aim and hypothesis in relation to the outcome of your investigation.

Format: Scientific ReportTable of Contents

Include a table of contents

Introduction (300-400 words)

making links between related ideas, concepts, principles and theories to reveal meaningful interrelationships

Select a plant. Describe their normal growth characteristics? Why did you choose them for this project? Include details about tolerances and ideal growth conditions.

State the abiotic factor that you have chosen to investigate. What is its importance? Environmental concerns with this factor? Economic considerations? Etc…

Explain how other plant species adapt to these conditions eg Mangroves, cactus, eucalypts, pond weed

Aim and Hypothesis (100 words)

formulating justified researchable questions

What is your hypothesis? What is your prediction? Justification for this prediction Clearly identify the independent / dependent / controlled and uncontrolled variables

Methods and Materials

designing, modifying and implementing investigations

In this section write a step by step procedure of how you established your plants, materials used, and describe how the data was collected.

Safety

Include a section on experimental safety, Include appropriate MSDS sheets

4

Results

collecting and organising data to identify trends and interrelationships

In this section you include a description of the experimental results. Include any supporting: data tables graphs or illustrations Photographic evidence organised and labelled observational notes (from your Experiment Log Book) describe your results

Data Analysis

Include the analysis of your data. Report the results that are significant [T test] or just as importantly, report what

results are not significant.

Discussion (400-500 words)

interpreting and critically analysing results with links to theoretical concepts to draw conclusions relating to the question(s)

evaluating the design of the investigation and reflecting on the adequacy of the data collected and proposing refinements.

gathering, critically analysing and evaluating information and data from a variety of valid and reliable sources.

integrating the information and data to make justified and responsible decisions

Restate your aim and hypothesis - was your hypothesis supported? This section should contain any significant data from your results section to support

your statements and trends (or lack off). What were the trends/patterns - Reiterate key results/analysis. Where there any inconsistencies? Why did your plant respond as it did - (relate this back to the information presented in

your introduction/hypothesis justification) Include a brief outline of any sources of error in your data. Were your research

sources reliable/credible? Discuss refinements you would make if you were to continue this investigation,

mention possible future investigations/modifications if you were to continue this research.

5

Conclusion (100 words)

Finish by making a collection of concluding statements about your experiment related to your hypothesis.

Restate whether or not your hypothesis was supported?

References

Remember to reference all your information and any diagrams or other material you have included in your report.

Use the APA style; arrange in alphabetic order.

You can do this manually or use Cite This For Me http://www.citethisforme.com/

Appendix

MSDS, Logbook, Supporting evidence

6

Support Material for Plant Growth EEIThe aim of this experiment is to investigate the effect of variations in salinity on the growth characteristics of tomatoes.

Tomatoes are a >>>>>>> that prefer >>>>>>>>>>Chosen plant – growth preferences and characteristics.

However plants such as <<<<<<< are Adapted plant and its characteristics and cope with these conditions by &*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*

Conditions

Leading to the Hypothesis – if this then that.

7

Different plant species have developed different strategies to live in varying habitats. This can be beneficial since plants that can live in harsher environments will be less affected by competition from other plant species. Some abiotic factors that will impact on plant growth include: Nutrient content of soil Access to water Salinity of soil pH of soil Access to sunlight

Task:

To plan an investigation that assesses the effect of one of the above variables on the growth of one type of seedlings or germination of seeds. Compare these growth characteristics with a plant that is adapted to the experimental conditions. You will need to present your findings in a scientific report using the format specified.

Assignment conditions:

1. You will conduct experiments as a group over the course of three weeks (week 3, 4 and 5).

2. You will need to research a plant that is adapted to your experimental conditions.3. The scientific report must be completed individually and has a word limit of 800 –

1000 words (Introduction, Discussion and Conclusions) and it must follow the format given.

4. You must keep a logbook over the course of the experiment to document ideas, plans, experimental set-ups and results. The logbook is to be hand written in the notebook supplied.

5. You will work in groups of three. Each student in the group will be assigned a specific role:

Safety officerObtain MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) for chemicals or procedures used. (appendix)Write a safety section for the report.Make sure personal safety equipment is available and used.

Materials officerResponsible for ordering the materials needed for the experiments.Write the Materials section for the report.

Methods officerResponsible for recording data as well as making it available for the other group members at all times electronically.

8

Experimental GuidelinesCompare plant growth using ONE of the following variables:

Variable Possible Research Ideas

Organic fertilizer Use varying strengths of organic fertiliser to water plants Compare organic fertiliser with a commercial fertiliser Compare the success of organic fertiliser to water two

types of plantsWater Use tap water, rainwater, boiled/microwaved water

and/or bore water (to be sourced by the student) to water plants

Salinity Use varying strengths of salt water to water plantspH Use solutions of varying pH to water plantsPlant Species You may cooperate with another group to include an

assessment of your treatment type for two different species

Other choice By negotiation with your teacher

pH and salinity solutions will be provided on your request. Commercial fertilizer must be obtained via your teacher/through Mrs

Misselbrook, arrangements to be made by students. Other water sources/types (bore, rain, etc.) must be sourced by students.

Initial decisions to be made and what to note in your experiment log book1. IDENTIFY the problem you are investigating.2. STATE what you know about this topic from personal experience and from science?

What will I keep the same?

What will I change? What will I measure?How will I measure it?

Controlled variables Independent variable Dependent variable

3. EXPLAIN how you will make it a fair test. 4. STATE the question you are investigating. STATE the hypothesis you are testing.

(STATE your hypothesis as a relationship between the independent and dependent variables).

5. PREDICT what you think will happen – this should be fairly detailed. 6. DESCRIBE your experimental set-up. 7. LIST all materials and equipment. 8. EXPLAIN how (and why) you are collecting your data. Labelled diagrams and

photographs are helpful.

9