Hi all,

I just saw your results - great work! I hope you enjoyed running your germination experiment, and can later apply it in some way, either in another science project or even for gardening or houseplant cultivation. If you do grow seeds in the future, you now know how to get them germinating before planting, that's cool. I also hope you enjoyed the scientific process.

Do you have any lingering questions? Feel free to message me. I enjoyed hearing about your research project this semester, thank you for including me and updating me throughout the unit!

Sincerely,

Ms. Becklund

Hi Salia, Eri, Caleb, and Ms. Oliva,

Thank you for sharing your comments with me! 

I think your experiment to test the effects of light and dark conditions on seed germination is well planned, and I am looking forward to your results. Thank you for sharing your experimental design and photos of petri dishes - I think the paper towels were a good idea to keep the water surrounding the seeds, a necessary component for legume seed germination.

What is the powder you applied to the seeds? I was also curious, how are you applying the light/dark treatment? Are you using a grow light, or sunlight, and for the darkness, are you enclosing them in a dark space? Are the seeds going to be in constant light or darkness?

Your experiment reminds me of some experiments going on at our university (Ohio University) - there is a research lab conducting experiments on seed germination and the effects of light and gravity. In this research, they send seeds to the International Space Station, where the seeds experienced zero gravity, and looked at what happens to plant germination in zero gravity. In your experiment, gravity is another variable that you are keeping constant - plants can sense gravity, it's how roots know to grow downwards and leaves upwards. Sunlight is also in the equation, as plants can sense sunlight and grow towards it. In the International Space Station experiments, they are finding that gravity is important for the directions roots grow, and if a plant in zero-gravity experiences gravity again (like when the seedlings are sent back to Earth) the plants quickly respond to gravity. Just wanted to share some research related to your experiment with you!

Great work, I am looking forward to seeing your results next week! Please reach out if you have any questions.

Thanks,

Ms. Becklund

Hi Caleb, Salia, Eri, Ms. Olivia, and Dr. Betsy,

I'm Ellie Becklund, I am a graduate student at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. I'm in the Department of Environmental and Plant Biology, where I study plant speciation and biogeography. You all have a great group name - I study legumes (beans), so I'm partial!

The legumes I study have adapted to live in water too, they're called Neptunia, named after the Roman God Neptune). Similar to your first experiment, they must photosynthesize in water. Your results are great - did breathing on the water columns produce enough carbon dioxide for the plants to photosynthesize, do you think? Interesting! 

I'm looking forward to working with you all, and am excited to hear about your next project. Please reach out with any questions. Have a good weekend!

Thanks,

Ms. Becklund