Debra Sauls
SCIE3216-602 - Liz Evans
Oct. 25, 2009
Science Experiment – Seed Germination
Experimental Design
Question: Do seeds sprout in various conditions?
Prior Knowledge/Research: In researching germination I discovered that some seeds are empty and
carry no embryo seedling inside. I then determined the three seeds to be used in this experiment were
red ripper peas, crook neck squash and butter beans. I had previously known that seeds will sprout with
added moisture and by placing seeds wrapped inside a moist paper towel. However, I did not know the
effect of sunlight on this process.
Hypothesis: I hypothesized that all three types of seeds were going to sprout and the seeds placed in
the dark environment were going to sprout first. I did also suggest that seeds wrapped in moist paper
towels were going to sprout and seeds wrapped in dry paper towels would not.
Procedure:
I placed 10 red ripper pea seeds in a moist paper towel inside a sealed Ziploc bag and taped it
inside a glass window in direct sunlight.
I placed 10 crook neck squash seeds in a moist paper towel inside a sealed Ziploc bag and taped
it inside a glass window in direct sunlight.
I placed 10 butter bean seeds in a moist paper towel inside a sealed Ziploc bag and taped it
inside a glass window in direct sunlight.
I then placed 10 of all three seeds types in three moist paper towels sealed inside three different
Ziploc bags and taped them inside a dark closet. (Seeds in the window are the exact same except
these are in dark closet.)
To further change the independent variable, I did the very same procedure with all three seed
types except I used dry waxed paper. I did so thinking that the wax paper would retain its own
moisture when placed in the sunlight, therefore sprouting the seeds.
Dependent Variables: Red Ripper Peas, Crook Neck Squash and Butter Beans.
Independent Variables: Moist paper towel, dry paper towel and dry waxed paper.
Controlled Variables: I used the same type of Ziploc bag. I also placed ten of the three seed type inside
each bag. The same window for the sunlight variable was used and the same closet was used for
darkness.
Debra Sauls
SCIE3216-602 - Liz Evans
Oct. 25, 2009
Science Experiment – Seed Germination
Log of Observations:
09-20-09 three seed types were placed in bags wrapped in moist paper towel and placed in the
window in direct sunlight. Three seed types were placed in bags wrapped in moist paper towel
in the dark closet.
09-22-09 all three seed types are sprouting in the dark closest. None are sprouting that were
placed in the window.
09-24-09 on day four all seeds are sprouted very well that were placed in the dark closest. The
seeds that were in the window have a lot of moisture in the bags compared to the seeds in the
dark closet. The seeds in the window are beginning to sprout more today, however they are not
fully sprouted compared to the seeds in the closet.
09-26-09 all three seed types are fully sprouted in both environments.
10-08-09 three seed types were placed in a dry paper towel in the window in direct sunlight. The
same three types were placed in the dark closest wrapped in a dry paper towel.
10-10-09 none of the seeds have sprouted in either place.
10-12-09 still no seeds have sprouted in either place.
10-14-09 three seed types were placed in waxed paper in window in direct sunlight and three
types were placed in dark closest wrapped in waxed paper.
10-16-09 none of the seeds in waxed paper have sprouted.
10-18-09 still no seeds have sprouted except the seeds in moist paper towels. Moist paper towel
seeds have sprouted in both conditions. (sunlight and darkness)
Data Analysis:
Debra Sauls
SCIE3216-602 - Liz Evans
Oct. 25, 2009
Science Experiment – Seed Germination
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
Sunlight
2 Darkness
1.5
1
0.5
0
Moist Paper Towel Dry Paper Towel Dry Wax Paper
The data shows that by day 2 the seeds in the dark closest wrapped in moist paper towel were
sprouting. Day 4 the moist paper towel seeds in sunlight were sprouted. The other seeds never did
sprout in either place.
Conclusion:
In doing this experiment I discovered that it takes moisture and darkness in order for seeds to germinate
at a faster rate. The seeds placed in the moist paper in direct sunlight did sprout, however they were
sprouting after the seeds placed in the closest. In placing seeds in the dry paper towels, there was no
sprouting in either place. I thought that the wax paper would hold moisture in order for the seeds to
sprout in the darkness. This was not the case. None of the seeds sprouted at all except the ones in moist
paper towels. Moisture is the key to success when germination is a factor.
Reflection:
This experiment was very enjoyable to do with the kids. The observation process was interesting. If I
were to do this experiment again I would choose to use a sponge instead of the wax paper. I feel as if
the moisture was the key ingredient to successful seed germination. In doing this in the future with my
students I would like to plant these sprouted seeds in soil and observe the health of the plant and
Debra Sauls
SCIE3216-602 - Liz Evans
Oct. 25, 2009
Science Experiment – Seed Germination
compare the germination process to the way the plant thrives after being planted. This would extend
the lesson on germination and would be most enjoyable to do in the spring of the year!