Question

Observation

• Use your senses to make an observation about your environment.
Questions
• Create a hypothesis that can be tested in an experiment.
Remember, a hypothesis has a specific "if then" wording. It describes what will happen to the dependent variable
when changes are made to the independent variable. For example, "If a plant is fertilized (independent variable),
then it will grow faster (dependent variable)."
• Design and plan an experiment.
Be sure to identify an independent variable, a dependent variable, and any controls. Remember, controls are factors
which stay the same. In an experiment designed to test the previously stated hypothesis, one control would be to
use the same kind of plant. Write a complete description of your experiment. Include a list of necessary materials. It
is a good idea to follow a step-by-step procedure format. Think of everything you need to do, then write it down in
the order it must be completed. Your description and procedure should be clear enough that another person could
duplicate your experiment exactly.

Answer 1

Observation:
I have observed that plants growing in sunlight seem to grow taller and healthier than plants growing in the dark.

Hypothesis:
"If plants are exposed to sunlight (independent variable), then they will grow taller and healthier (dependent variable) compared to plants grown in the dark."

Experiment Design:

Materials:
- 4 identical potted plants
- Soil
- Water
- Grow light or lamp
- Ruler or measuring tape

Procedure:

1. Obtain 4 identical potted plants and label them A, B, C, and D.
2. Fill each pot with the same amount of soil and plant one seedling in each pot.
3. Water each plant with the same amount of water.
4. Place two of the plants (A and B) in an area with access to sunlight and two plants (C and D) in a dark area.
5. Ensure that the temperature is consistent in both areas.
6. Place a grow light or lamp over plants C and D to provide equal lighting intensity as plants A and B.
7. Measure the height of each plant with a ruler or measuring tape at the beginning of the experiment and record the measurements.
8. Water the plants as needed and ensure that soil moisture levels remain consistent throughout the experiment.
9. Observe and record plant growth for 2 weeks.
10. At the end of the 2-week period, measure the height of each plant again and record the measurements.
11. Analyze the data and compare the heights of plants A and B with those of plants C and D.
12. Draw conclusions based on the data collected.

Controls:
- Use the same type of plant for all four pots.
- Ensure that the amount of soil and water used for each plant is the same.
- Monitor and maintain the same temperature and humidity conditions for all four plants.
- Use the same brand of fertilizer (if applicable) for all four plants.

Independent variable: Sunlight
Dependent variable: Plant height and health