Pre-AP Biology Summer Assignment Page 1of 3
Pre-AP Biology
Summer Assignment 2011
The following two assignments must be completed independently during your
summer vacation. You must work alone for the plant experiment portion. All
work is due the second day of school. If, during the summer, you have
questions or problems, you may contact the teacher you are enrolled with;
Mr. Osborne or Mrs. Christensen.
Osborne – osborneg@mustangps.org
Christensen – christensent@mustangps.org
Please indicate that your email is regarding the Pre-AP Biology Summer
Assignment.
*Failure to complete this assignment may result in removal from Pre-AP
Biology.
ASSIGNMENT 1
“Using Graphing Skills” packet, Page 49-53.
ASSIGNMENT 2
PLANT EXPERIMENT
THIS IS A TEST GRADE!!!
Begin Before July 11 – Experiment Takes 20 Days, plus time to write it up!
This gives you some extra time in case your seeds don’t germinate.
Introduction
Science is a process of predicting, collecting data, then drawing conclusions.
The purpose of this assignment is to practice the process of science while testing
an actual hypothesis. Before you begin it is important that you know and
understand the terms associated with scientific investigation. Below is a list of
terms you need to know:
Controlled Experiment
Hypothesis
Independent Variable
Dependent variable
Control Group
Experimental Group
Control Variables
Scientific Problem
What are some factors that may affect the growth of plants?
Choose one factor (variable) like amount of soil, type of soil, amount of
light, amount of water, or use of fertilizer and test how it will affect plant
growth.
Background Research
Determine the factors needed for a plant to grow. You may use textbooks, the
Internet, or other references that can be sited in a bibliography. Write at least
one paragraph that summarizes your research. This needs to be detailed.
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Answer the question “how do these factors actually help plant growth?”
Include at least two sources in your bibliography.
Forming a Hypothesis
What do you predict will happen in this experiment? Remember, a hypothesis
is not a question or just an educated guess. It needs to be written as a
statement of what is going to happen when something is manipulated (see
example). Write a paragraph which gives your prediction (hypothesis) and a
paragraph that explains why you think this will occur.
Ex. If the coyote population (independent variable) decreases, then the
rabbit population (dependent variable) will increase. (If, Independent var.,
then, Dependent var.)
Materials
• Packet of Seeds (Any Type – beans work great)
• Small Containers (Plastic Cups, Plastic Plant Pots, Etc.)
• Potting Soil
• Water
• Any other materials that your factor requires
Experimental Design
Set up at least two small containers of seeds. Subject one to normal conditions,
based on your research. This one will act as a control group. A control group
is a group in which all factors needed for success are optimal.
Subject all other groups to your variable at different variations. These will act as
your experimental groups. An experimental group is the one that you have
changed one factor, to see the effect on growth. Remember, you only need one
control group but the more experimental groups you have the more data you will
have!
Ex. If you wanted to measure the effect of sports drinks on running
speeds, you would give the control group no sports drink and all others would be
given different types of sports drinks.
Ex. If you wanted to measure the effect of one particular sports drink on
running speed, you would give the control group no sports drink and give all
other groups increasing amounts of the same type of sports drink.
Write a detailed paragraph that explains exactly how you set up your experiment
and recorded your data. Include in your paragraph things like…how many seeds
were planted, how much water, soil, fertilizer was used. Also types of soil or
fertilizer, where the plants were placed etc… After reading your experimental
design, I should be able to perform the exact same experiment exactly the same
way.
Allow the seeds to grow for at least twenty days. NOTE: THIS PROJECT
NEEDS TO BE STARTED BY July 11th!!!
Data Collection
During these twenty days, measure the height of the plant in cm. Record
measurements for each of your plants at least every 2 days. You may measure
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every day if you like. If you are out of town, you must make arrangements for
someone to check your plants. If your plants do not germinate within 7 days,
you will need to replant them – this is why you need to start early!
Create a data table to display your data. For examples of data tables, see “Using
Graphing Skills”, data tables 1 & 2.
Include a title for you talbe.
Present the data in a line graph. Follow the rules described in “Using Graphing
Skills.” Lines graphs should include labels for both the x and y axis as well as
a title. (NOTE: YOUR GRAPH SHOULD HAVE ONE LINE FOR EACH OF
YOUR PLANTS. YOU WILL ALSO NEED A KEY FOR THIS GRAPH.)
Ex. If you have one control plant and 3 experimental plants, then your graph
should have 4 individual plotted lines.
Conclusions (Discussion)
Write a paragraph that describes the effects of your factor on plant growth.
State whether or not the data supports your hypothesis. You should use at least
two specific examples from the data to either support or deny your hypothesis. If
the data does not support your hypothesis explain why you think this happened.
Also include in your conclusion what changes you could make to your
experiment that would improve your data. Also list all of the errors in your
experiment that may have influence your data. You may use multiple
paragraphs for the conclusion.
Photo Documentation
You will be required to take pictures of your plants at five different periods (Days
1,5,10,15, and 20). Both you and the plants should be visible in the picture.
Pictures need to be printed on regular paper and stapled to the back of your
report.
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What Do I Need To Hand In?
Due the 2nd day of school
Assignment 1: Graphing Skills Packet
Assignment 2: Experiment
Research Paragraph(s)
Hypothesis
Hypothesis Paragraph
Experimental Design Paragraph
Data Table
Line Graph
Photo Documentation
Conclusion Paragraphs
Bibliography