How To Complete the Plant Experiment Data Sheet
Name___________________________room #
Plant Experiment Data Sheet
1. What is your experimental question? Be sure to state it in terms of your
independent variable AND what you will measure (dependent variable). (3 pts.)
EX. How does light effect the height of a bean plant?
Be sure you tell what KIND of plants you are using as well as your dependent
and independent variables
2. Tell what you already know or have observed about the way plants grow which may
have anything to do with your experiment. (4 pts.)
Notice that this part is worth 4 points. That means I am looking for at least four
sentences. Also notice that I am asking for things specific to your experiment.
3. Make a hypothesis about what you expect your results to show about plant growth.
Be sure to include both your independent variable and what you will measure in
your hypothesis. (3 pts.)
EX. I think the bean plant with the most light will grow the tallest.
Make sure your hypothesis is a possible answer to your question (#1 above).
4. Describe IN DETAIL your experimental plan. This should read as a step by step
“recipe” that I could follow to repeat your experiment EXACTLY. (10 pts.)
This part is really important. List your steps numerically. Be sure to take care to put in all
of the details. Someone else should be able to read your “recipe” and run the EXACT same
experiment at their home. Don’t forget to include:
 What kind of pots
 What kind of seeds
 What kind of soil
 How much water
 How often you water
 WHERE your plants will live
 Tell ALL of the treatments of your independent variables (such as which liquids
you will give it or what kind of music you will play for each)
 Tell how often you will treat
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Here’s an example:
Fill three four inch pots with three inches of Brand X potting soil.
Label one pot for each: control, coke, milk.
Place two pole bean seeds in each pot.
Place the pots in a sunny window.
Water each pot with ¼ cup water every other day until all have sprouted.
Remove any extra sprouts so that EACH pot has ONE plant. Try to keep those that
are closest in height.
7. Measure and record the height of each plant in centimeters.
8. For the remainder of the experiment, replace the water with ¼ cup coke and milk
for these plants.
9. Measure and record the height of each plant once a week.
5. Design a chart to record your data. Fill in the data as you collect (may be on a
separate page if you wish) (10 pts.)
The data chart is a place for you to record your data as you go. It will look something
like this:
*Be sure that you measure
Date
Water
Coke
Milk
In metric units (cm).
Nov. 1
Nov. 8
Nov. 15
Nov. 21
6. Summarize your results AND make conclusion. Your conclusion should be a answer
your question from number 1 above. (10 pts.)
There are TWO PARTS to this section. In the SUMMARY you tell about all of the data.
Tell which one was the highest (or whatever your dependant variable was). Which was
the lowest? Are there any outliers or unusual data? Did anything unusual happen
during the experiment which may have affected that data? Is there anything we should
KNOW about you experiment?
Then make a conclusion. Your conclusion should ANSWER YOUR EXPERIMENTAL
QUESTION. Your data must support your conclusion. Do NOT tell me about whether
your hypothesis was correct or not. Just tell me what your data shows. DO NOT use
the word “think” in your conclusion. You may have to say that your data does not
support making a conclusion and then tell what you would have to do next time to get
better results.
7. Attach a graph to support your summary. Don’t forget to make it neat, in
color and include a title and labels for both axis. (10 pts.)
This will probably be a bar graph or a line graph. We have practiced this in class
several times. ALWAYS use a ruler to draw your lines if you are not using a computer.
Each data bar or line should be a separate color. Your X and Y axis should be well
labeled and the units given for all numbers. Your graph needs a title (It can be your
experimental question if you want).
(see samples below)
Sample bar Graph
Effect of Liquid Nourishment on
Bean Plants
8
Plant Height in cm.
7
6
5
Water
4
Coke
3
Milk
2
1
0
Nov. 1
Nov. 8
Nov. 15 Nov. 21
Date Measured
Sample Line Graph
Effect of Liquid Nourishment on Bean
Plant
Height of Plant in cm.
8
7
6
5
Water
4
Coke
3
Milk
2
1
0
Nov. 1
Nov. 8
Nov. 15
Nov. 21
Date Measured
You are only required to make ONE graph. However, you may do more if you wish.
Some students also like to submit photographs as well.