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November 23, 2010 | 8:17 AM |
Farewell and Best Wishes
As this research project is now in the final stages of wrapping-up, we wish to thank everyone who participated in this inquiry; the students, mentors, teachers and others behind the scenes. We appreciate all of your efforts and contributions to this online learning community.
Scientific exploration is a process of discovery that can be fun! There are many unanswered questions about plants just waiting for new scientists to consider, investigate, and share.
Please come back and visit the PlantingScience Research Gallery Archive anytime to view this project in the future. You can search the Archive by key word, team name, topic, or school name.
Good bye for now.
The PlantingScience team
November 19, 2010 | 8:07 AM |
3 things confusing:
-The time allotted was too short
-The refraction of the light made it difficult to see which disks were in fact, floating...
-The disks didn't seem to really want to float at all
3 ways to improve:
-Add more time to our experiment
-Have an environment with a smaller diameter for the experiment (as in test tube as opposed to beaker)
-Have all materials (i.e. crushed ice) prepared before you start the procedure
2 things we learned about experimentation:
-If everyone cooperates and puts in effort then the experiment could be done more efficiently
-You should never start something you can't finish
2 things we learned about photosynthesis:
-Excessive heat prevents photosynthesis
-A chilled environment lets photosynthesis occur more rapidly
1 thing we 'liked' :
1 thing we disliked:
-Preparing thirty small diameter spinach disks everyday
November 15, 2010 | 8:05 AM |
Ran out of time
Sorry, last response we left was brief due to time limit. We came to a conclusion on which research question we would extrapolate and explore. We posted it above in the research information. I guess we'll try to make this thing exciting? So what are your ideas?
Kayla, Brittany, and Blake
November 10, 2010 | 1:47 PM |
Dr. Kevin Folta
What is your hypothesis? How to test it?
I was a vegetarian for 16 years!! Until this March.
Let me know your ideas. The project should have tremendous purpose and lots of direction. Let's do a great project that is truly exciting. I'd like to hear your ideas first before I start giving mine!
November 10, 2010 | 8:08 AM |
Re: Hi Everybody
1. Are you a vegetarian?
2. We are 3 students taking bio honors.
3. This project doesn't have much purpose.
4. we have 3 testable research questions to discuss with you.
November 8, 2010 | 9:19 AM |
Dr. Kevin Folta
I'm glad to be part of the team. I hope that you'll keep in touch with me frequently via this forum. I'm a scientist in plant biology and am really excited to be assisting you. Plant science is extremely important. The experiments you are doing today are similar to those being done all over the world to help meet major challenges to the future of food. Even the most simple basic experiments could give new information that could feed millions of people in the future. Get excited- you are participating in something very important!
November 5, 2010 | 11:53 AM |
Dr. Claire Hemingway
We are delighted to welcome you to this community of plant researchers. Your team has the opportunity to be mentored by a scientist to help you plan and think through your own project investigating photosynthesis.
The mentor's role is to encourage and guide you through the scientific process of discovery. Your role is to share what your team is doing in class. The more you share your ideas and research information online, the more your mentor can help.
Your scientist mentor for this project will be Dr. Kevin Folta from University of Florida. Please introduce yourself and post some possible research topic ideas to get a conversation rolling.
These resources are available to help you get started:
Thinking Like a Scientist / Working Like a Scientist
Guide to Using A Spreadsheet
Best wishes as you start this scientific journey. We are all pleased to share this experience with you.
The PlantingScience team